Naval Sea System Command's (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage & Diving (SUPSALV) continues to support the removal of the wreck. Guardian ran aground on the coral reef Jan. 17, while transiting the Sulu Sea. After the initial grounding, strong winds pushed the mine counter-measurees ship parallel to the reef and further aground causing flooding and structural damage which prevented refloating of the vessel or removal of the ship intact. SUPSALV is part of a command task unit established to perform the salvage operations and are providing salvage expertise and equipment to conduct operations.