The U.S. government paid the government of the Philippines close to $2 million in damages for an accident that happened two years ago when a U.S. Navy ship damaged a protected coral reef.

The Philippine government released a brief statement on Thursday, saying the U.S. government paid over 87 million pesos or roughly $1.97 million "as compensation for the damage caused to Tubbataha Reef by the grounding of the USS Guardian."

"The compensation will be utilized for the protection and rehabilitation of Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site," the statement read. "Portions of the fund will also be used to further enhance capability to monitor the area and prevent similar incidents in the future."

The Philippine government added the U.S. would help the Philippine coast guard upgrade the patrol station guarding the protected site.

According to The Associated Press, the World Wide Fund for Nature, which manages the site, and marine experts estimated about 2,345 square meters (25,240 square feet) had been damaged when the minesweeper ran aground.

The Guardian accident happened in January 2013 when the ship accidentally ran aground on the reef. To prevent further damage, the minesweeper was dismantled piece by piece over the span of two months.

A subsequent U.S. Navy investigation found the accident was preventable, and the ship's commanding officers were at fault.

"The tragic mishap was wholly preventable and was the product of poor voyage planning, poor execution and unfortunate circumstances," the Navy report stated.

The report explained there should have been multiple warnings from the watch team and electronic warnings that should have alerted the officers.

The Guardian's commanding officer, executive officer and navigator, assistant navigator and officer on deck were relieved of their duties for failing to adhere to navigation procedures, reports the AP.

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