U.S. Navy warship will have to be lifted off Philippine reef

By Brad Lendon, CNN

Updated 2006 GMT (0406 HKT) January 25, 2013

The stern of the USS Guardian, the last piece of grounded ship, is removed by a crane vessel on Saturday, March 30. The U.S. Navy minesweeper became trapped on a reef off the western Philippine island of Palawan on January 17. The Navy has pledged to clean up debris and restore the reef as much as possible.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The stern of the USS Guardian, the last piece of grounded ship, is removed by a crane vessel on Saturday, March 30. The U.S. Navy minesweeper became trapped on a reef off the western Philippine island of Palawan on January 17. The Navy has pledged to clean up debris and restore the reef as much as possible.
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A crane vessel lifts the bow of the USS Guardian on Tuesday, March 26.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – A crane vessel lifts the bow of the USS Guardian on Tuesday, March 26.
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The crane vessel pulls the bow off the ship on March 26.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The crane vessel pulls the bow off the ship on March 26.
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The crane vessel removes a hull section on Wednesday, March 27. The U.S. Navy expects the Guardian to be completely removed from Tubbataha Reef by mid-April, an official says.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The crane vessel removes a hull section on Wednesday, March 27. The U.S. Navy expects the Guardian to be completely removed from Tubbataha Reef by mid-April, an official says.
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The U.S. Navy and Philippines authorities are working to dismantle the ship.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The U.S. Navy and Philippines authorities are working to dismantle the ship.
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Brandon Berry grinds through steel in the engine room in preparation for removing machinery.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – Brandon Berry grinds through steel in the engine room in preparation for removing machinery.
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The USS Guardian's funnel section is lifted Tuesday, February 26, as a task force works on removing equipment.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The USS Guardian's funnel section is lifted Tuesday, February 26, as a task force works on removing equipment.
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The USS Guardian rocks in the waves on February 8.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The USS Guardian rocks in the waves on February 8.
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The Malaysian tug Vos Apollo removes diesel fuel and human wastewater from the USS Guardian on January 28.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The Malaysian tug Vos Apollo removes diesel fuel and human wastewater from the USS Guardian on January 28.
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Waves crash against the USS Guardian in January. The minesweeper is estimated to have damaged 4,000 square meters of the Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – Waves crash against the USS Guardian in January. The minesweeper is estimated to have damaged 4,000 square meters of the Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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In this undated photo, a U.S. Navy diver moves damage control equipment and other materials to be unloaded from the USS Guardian.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – In this undated photo, a U.S. Navy diver moves damage control equipment and other materials to be unloaded from the USS Guardian.
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The Guardian on the Tubbataha Reef on January 19 in a handout photo from the Philippines military.
Photos: Photos: End of the USS Guardian
End of the USS Guardian – The Guardian on the Tubbataha Reef on January 19 in a handout photo from the Philippines military.
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