JASCON 25

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Jascon 25 remains at Tubbataha reef after wreck removal

Salvage teams on Mar 30 at 1.50 p.m. removed the last 250-ton-section of the "USS Guardian" from the Tubbataha reef after more than 10 weeks. The stern of the ship was lifted off the reef after the hull vessel was sliced into four portions. The cut sections of the ship were taken to the barge "S-7000", which took them to a US facility in Sasebo to determine which ones can be reused and which will be junked. The "Jascon 25" remained in the area. After the lifting, they will clear the area of debris. It was expected to take three days maximum. Reports with photos: http://www.gulf-times.com/asean-philippines/188/details/347327/us-navy-ship-removed-from-philippine-reef http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/30/world/us-navy-ship-reef/

Main engine room of USS Guardian removed by Jascon 25

With two out of four sections of the USS "Guardian"'s hull removed from Tubbataha Reef on Mar 27, the Philippine Coast Guard was eyeing the removal of the third section by Mar 30. The Coast Guard expected the main motor room (MMR) that day. The the bow and the auxiliary machinery room had been removed on Mar 26 and 27. If sea conditions remain calm, the entire ship may be lifted off the reef as early as Apr 1. The plan was to continue with cutting the hull for the main motor room, which weighs 200 to 300 tons, and setting it up to be lifted. The salvage work would continue duringthe Easter days, with the US Navy estimating cutting work to be completed by the first week of April and the lifting of the parts by the second week. Photos: http://maritimo48.com/tag/salvage/

Bow of Guardian lifted onto barge

The U.S. Navy and the contracted salvage personnel aboard the "Jascon 25" began dismantling and sectioning the hull of the USS "Guardian". The bow section was safely lifted and removed from Tubbataha Reef to an awaiting barge. The lifting of the first large hull section was a significant accomplishment. Each of these sections weigh about 250 tons. This work has been accomplished in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The remaining three sections will be removed over the coming days as weather and safety permits. Preparing the ship for this sectioning has been extremely challenging. Salvors have had to painstakingly clear about a two foot path inside the ship, removing everything that was in the way. Once the path was clear, the hull cutting was done manually by Navy divers and salvage contractors using chainsaws and reciprocating saws, and some of this cutting was underwater using hydraulically driven tools. The Navy has been working meticulously to salvage any reusable equipment and remove any potentially harmful materials including petroleum-based products and human wastewater. Report with photo: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/104151/navy-led-salvage-crew-starts-removing-guardian-hull#ixzz2OjMKtvKh