source: www.gmanews.com
After
wrestling with various other options, the US Navy has announced that it has no
other choice but to dismantle the minesweeping vessel that has been stranded on
Tubbataha Reef since January 17, according Defense News, a news site about the
US military.
The
US Navy had been preparing to lift the entire ship with giant floating cranes
to deeper water or onto another ship. But the close proximity of salvage ships
to the reef for the lifting operation would pose a greater risk to the reef,
the US Navy has determined.
“Our
only supportable option is to dismantle the damaged ship and remove it in
sections,” Capt. Darryn James, spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told
Defense News on Tuesday.
Lory
Tan, president of WWF Philippines, lamented that dismantling the ship is the
"least desirable" solution because the operation, though now
apparently unavoidable, would entail more movement on the reef than if the ship
were lifted intact.
"It's
too early to say, but basta may gumalaw dyan, may pwede mangyari," said
Tan, who is also a member of Tubbataha's protected area management board.
"If
they're not careful, it could be messy," he added.
The
grounding of the USS Guardian is an unprecedented problem for the US Navy with
a complex mix of crucial factors, including unpredictable weather conditions,
the coordination between the two governments, and environmental concerns.
"We
suggested in the beginning that (the Tubbataha Task Force) develop various
(recovery) scenarios. The last option was the breakup," he added.
The
US Navy has apparently decided that the last and least desireable option is now
probably the only option. — KG/HS, GMA News
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