The U.S. Navy mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian

The U.S. Navy mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) with the upper half of its superstructure, funnel and mast removed is in the process of being salvaged and dismantled. The Guardian ran aground on Tubbataha Reef Jan. 17. The U.S. Navy and contracted salvage teams continue damage assessments and the removal of equipment and parts to prepare the grounded ship to be safely dismantled and removed from Tubbataha Reef. The U.S. Navy continues to work in close cooperation with the Philippine authorities to safely dismantle Guardian from the reef while minimizing environmental effects. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelby Sanders/Released)