Weather Slows Navy Salvage Operation

Stormy weather in the Sulu Sea has once again slowed salvage operation on the wreck of the USS Guardian. The mine countermeasures ship ran aground on Tubbataha Reef on Jan. 17. The reef is a Philippine national park and World Heritage Site. The ship's crew was successfully evacuated and salvage ships rushed to the area. The sensitive nature of the reef and periodic bad weather has forced the piecemeal dismantlement of the ship and the use of a crane to lift the pieces away from the reef.