Faulty navigational charts, on a minesweeper?

The Commander of the US 7th Fleet has deeply regretted the grounding of the USS Guardian on Tubbataha Reef, a known World Heritage site and protected area of the Philippines. Being a sailor himself, Vice Admiral Scott Swift knows the significance of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and its importance as World Heritage Site, he adds. The US Navy has blamed its navigational charts, supplied by another agency as the reason why the USS Guardian was off course and strayed into the reef. Off course by eight nautical miles. The US Navy adds that they will do everything to prevent further damage to the reef as they extract their ship.

One cannot help but think how the most sophisticated and powerful navy in the world would have erroneous navigational charts! And the USS Guardian is a minesweeper, a vessel designed to comb an area of deadly mines. Surely you need perfect navigational equipment to do that! At this era of satellite GPS, where even private vehicles are able to navigate with relative ease, how could  a US naval warship have strayed into the reef? And what happened to good old visual confirmation? Low-tech sometimes does rule!

Reports even have it that the marine park rangers were already warning the ship that it was entering the protected reef, but they were totally ignored, referring them instead to the US embassy! And just how easy is it to do that in the middle of the ocean? They might as well tell them to go fly a kite, ala Americans say. I can understand ship protocol, but these park rangers I'm sure were well meaning, and they could have easily investigated their warnings by visual confirmation! Instead, American military arrogance has once again prevailed. I would have wanted so much to see the captain's face when it finally ran aground! Buti nga! Much nicer to say in the vernacular.

The US Navy is now facing a heavy fine for the damage caused by the USS Guardian. They have yet to ascertain the extent of the damage, which might even be worse as they try to extricate the ship. But being allies, I can also understand the doubt of some groups that they will indeed be fined, what with our current troubles in the West Philippine Sea with China! We have always said that the US should take a stand on China's claim of the entire ocean! All of this may be washed away by the tides!

We have yet to see if indeed the government will impose a fine for the damage to the reef. At the same time, everyone is also anxiously awaiting the removal of the offending warship, so no further damage to the reef shall occur. But the US Navy has a lot of explaining to do. A while back, a target drone was discovered floating in our waters. And now this. The USS Guardian was on its way to Indonesia, or so they say. But the ship seems to be pointed in the wrong direction! And faulty navigational charts, on a minesweeper?

Come now, we're supposed to be allies!