Since last year, the Philippine Navy has quietly been reinforcing the rusting hull of land ship tank BRP Sierre Madre (LT-57) at Second Thomas Shoal, using wooden fishing boats and other small craft.
Two anonymous Philippine Navy officers, who had been to the ship, said concrete foundations were being laid inside the ship’s hull to try to stabilize it. Welding is being carried out at night due to heat during the day. All these work are expected to be completed by end of the year.