MANILA, Philippines - A United States (US) minesweeper that docked at Subic last Sunday ran aground at the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan province at dawn Thursday.
Maj. Oliver Banaria, commander of the 6th Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philppines (AFP), was quick to clarify that it has yet to be determined if the ill-fated US warship -- USS Guardian (MCM5) -- hit the corals or simply sailed right into a shallow portion of the country’s declared national marine park.
Citing initial reports, Banaria said the scene of the mishap is about 98 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City. The mishap took place at around 3 a.m.
“It’s already near Puerto Princesa, but not at the side of the West Philippine Sea,†Banaria said, referring to the Sulu Sea area where the mishap occurred.
A surveillance plane and a Philippine Navy gunboat (PG-383) were dispatched to the area to check the condition of the vessel and its crewmembers.
In press statement recently released by the US Embassy, it said the USS Guardian will be dropping anchor at Subic Bay to refuel and replenish its supplies before proceeding to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan for another port call.
The embassy said that the Subic port call of the USS Guardian will also give an opportunity to her 80 crewmembers, eight of them Filipino-Americans, to an overnight furlough.
On the other hand, the US Pacific Command (USPACOM), confirming the mishap, said that no crewmember of USS Guardian was hurt in the incident.
“The Avenger-Class ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay, Olongapo City and was en route to her next port of call when the grounding occurred,†it said.
It added: “The ship is currently stuck on the reef, approximately 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan Island. The crew is currently working to determine the best method of safely extracting the ship, while the cause of the grounding is currently being investigated.â€
Last year, a Chinese warship also ran aground at Half Moon Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, 70 miles south of Palawan.