The US Navy plans to dismantle a minesweeper that ran aground at the protected Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea because the ship is a complete loss and because removing it intact would cause more damage to the reef and the ship’s hull, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. There’s also a chance the 63-meter, 1,300-ton USS Guardian might break up or sink if crews tried to remove it without taking it apart first, said the US Pacific Fleet spokesperson, Capt. Darryn James. Limiting damage to the coral, which is part of a natural marine park, is important to the US Navy, James said.

Yap, D., & Esplanada, J. (2013, February 1). Stricken US Navy ship a total loss. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A20.