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Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Captain Ted on January 20, 2013, 02:07:36 PM

Title: USS Guardian grounding
Post by: Captain Ted on January 20, 2013, 02:07:36 PM
the USS Guardian a Minesweeper
grounded on the TUBBATAHA reef, Phillippines (is on the UNESCO list as a world heritage site)
Below is a picture with a article in this morning Tampa Tribune about the incident.
The maps used seemingly were faulty.
I know from my own experience that electonic maps (ECDIS) are often up to 0.5 nautical mile different then paper charts. What wonders a litte,that the US Navy has not better controlled
charts in an area (Phillippines Islands) where they are since over 100 years present.
With that view and information one has to look very carefull to other groundings by merchant vessels in that area, like last year that one bulker which caused damage to a reef and the Master was right away nailed on it. Charts used in the merchant marine are in parts possible more in-accurate then those used by navies. GPS systems are to my knowledge in the navies also more accurate then in the merchant marine.
Rather disturbing facts when one looks at the possible ramifications of a grounding anywhere
in the world.
Hope the quality of the attached picture is good enough, just took it with a flick/flack camera.


 
Title: Re: USS Guardian grounding
Post by: Michael Martin on January 21, 2013, 02:41:16 PM
Excellent images from Armed Forces of the Phillipines of the stricken vessel, which according to the article may be taking on water. The article and images are available at the MSNBC website at http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/20/16613592-report-reef-bound-navy-ship-takes-on-water?lite
Title: Re: USS Guardian grounding
Post by: Marc Piché on January 22, 2013, 01:14:13 AM
Unless she has just been salved, I hold serious doubts about a wooden hulled ship like GUARDIAN being able to survive a pounding of waves and serious hull damage on a coral reef.
Title: Re: USS Guardian grounding
Post by: Captain Ted on January 22, 2013, 01:41:44 PM
Not when one looks at the pictures with the waves hitting
then she is doomed most probably