The USS Guardian remains trapped on the Tubbataha Reef
in a photo taken on Jan. 19, 2013 and released on Jan. 20.
in a photo taken on Jan. 19, 2013 and released on Jan. 20.
Wescom via AFP - Getty Images
From GMA News
The window of opportunity to safely remove the USS Guardian from the delicate Tubbataha Reef is closing fast, as weather conditions associated with the Amihan northeastern monsoon are expected to worsen over the next few days.
"The strong northeasterly wind and the associated big waves could affect any operation to rescue the US vessel.
One thing to consider is there is another surge of the northeast monsoon this week, so expect stronger winds and heavier seas," GMA News' resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz said.
One method for extricating the ship being discussed by the US Navy is lifting the stuck 68-meter-long minesweeper from the reef and placing it on a larger ship.
One thing to consider is there is another surge of the northeast monsoon this week, so expect stronger winds and heavier seas," GMA News' resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz said.
A photo released on Jan. 20, 2013 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (AFP-WESCOM) shows the US Navy ship USS Guardian remaining stuck in the vicinity of the Tubbataha Reef, western Philippines, on Jan. 19.
One method for extricating the ship being discussed by the US Navy is lifting the stuck 68-meter-long minesweeper from the reef and placing it on a larger ship.
"One-meter wave heights may not be that high considering the size of the vessel.
(But) if they will do something, the window of opportunity is now as the northeast monsoon is still weak," Mang Tani explained.
(But) if they will do something, the window of opportunity is now as the northeast monsoon is still weak," Mang Tani explained.
Position of the USS Guardian on Tubbataha Reef,
(in the North of the South Islet)
based on the January 18 incident report of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board.
(in the North of the South Islet)
based on the January 18 incident report of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board.
Also shown are the inner and outer boundaries of the Reef, as defined by Republic Act 10067.
Based on Weather Central data, the northeast monsoon or "Amihan" is the prevalent weather system affecting the area of Tubbataha reef, bringing cold winds from the direction of northeastern Luzon.
But Mang Tani warned that the monsoon is likely to gain in strength in two to three days, before the weekend.
Weather Central data shows that, as of Tuesday morning, wave heights in the area of Tubbataha Reef are expected to reach one meter in the next 24 hours.
However, PAGASA forecaster Jori Lois told GMA News Online that the agency's data indicates that waves in the area may reach as high as two meters.
However, PAGASA forecaster Jori Lois told GMA News Online that the agency's data indicates that waves in the area may reach as high as two meters.
24-hour wave height forecast ending 8 a.m. Wednesday, January 23
On the other hand, no rains are expected within the area, so rescuers can expect generally clear skies for at least the next 24 hours.
Weather Central's rainfall forecast for the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. Wednesday shows generally clear weather in the Tubbataha area, with possible light rainshowers west of the reef on Tuesday afternoon.
YouTube : A US navy official says the grounded USS Guardian is badly damaged and its fuel must be removed before the ship can be lifted from the Tubbataha Reef.
ReplyDeleteVideo shows US warship running aground on Tubbataha reef
ReplyDeleteExtracted pictures :
USS Guardian overview I
USS Guardian overview II
USS Guardian underwater view
GMA update video
ReplyDeleteOfficial maps and data provided by the Tubbataha Task Force indicate that the Guardian is stranded on the northwestern part of Tubbataha's South Atoll:
ReplyDeleteUSS Guardian location
The latest photo taken by members of the Tubbataha Management Office team on board a US Navy P3 Orion shows the vessel Apollo siphoning oil from the USS Guardian off the northwestern tip of the South Atoll in Tubbataha Reef.
ReplyDeleteAs calmer seas prevail, salvage teams are attempting to complete de-fueling on Friday.
A team of Filipino scientists, assembled by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, will conduct a preliminary rapid assessment of reef damage.
New aerial picture of the USS Guardian
To be picky, the video does not show Guardian running aground it shows it aground. My guess is it wa shot around 6.30am. She ran aground at 2.25am.
ReplyDeleteUpdated photos :
ReplyDelete(Jan. 22, 2013) A U.S. Navy P-3 Orion provides aerial surveillance of the USS Guardian (MCM 5), which ran aground on Tubbataha Reef on Jan. 17. USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62), left, and a Philippine Coast Guard ship, BRP Corregidor, right, are closely cooperating during ongoing efforts to safely recover Guardian while minimizing environmental effects to the reef. (U.S. Navy photo by Aircrewman Tactical Helicopters 3rd Class Geoffrey Trundell/Released)
(Jan. 22, 2013) USS Guardian (MCM 5) sits aground on the Tubbataha Reef. Operations to safely recover the ship while minimizing environmental effects are being conducted in close cooperation with allied Philippines Coast Guard and Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter 3rd Class Geoffrey Trudell/Released)
(Jan. 23, 2013) U.S. Navy salvage assessment team members board the stern of USS Guardian (MCM 5), which ran aground on Tubbataha Reef on Jan. 17. Operations to safely recover the ship while minimizing environmental effects are being conducted in close cooperation with allied Philippines Coast Guard and Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter 3rd Class Geoffrey Trudell/Released)
(Jan. 26, 2013) - Rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) transfer cargo from USS Guardian (MCM 5) to USS Mustin (DDG 89) (not pictured). Guardian ran aground on Tubbataha Reef Jan. 17. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelby Sanders/Released)
(Jan. 26, 2013) - Rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) transfer cargo from USS Guardian (MCM 5) to USS Mustin (DDG 89) (back left). Guardian ran aground on Tubbataha Reef Jan. 17. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelby Sanders/Released)
The Guardian : US navy will dismantle minesweeper stranded on coral reef
ReplyDeleteGoogle Streetview : Tubataha Reef underwater picures
ReplyDelete