The U.S. Navy minesweeper USS Guardian got stuck on a coral reef off the coast of the Philippines early Thursday morning.
According to a Navy press release, the Guardian ran aground on Tubbataha Reef at 2:25 a.m. local time while transiting the Sulu Sea:
The Avenger-class ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay, Olongapo City and was en route to her next port of call when the grounding occurred.
The ship is currently stuck on the reef, approximately 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan Island.
The ship's ombudsman, Kimberlyn Pipkins Barr, wrote on the Facebook page of the USS Guardian:
I would like to advise everyone that the ship hit aground and all sailors are safe. We will provide you with more information as we receive updates.
The Navy is investigating the cause of the grounding.
