Why did Pearl Harbor’s shallow water make ship repairs easier?

The shallow water at Pearl Harbor, which has an average depth of just 45 feet (13.7 meters), significantly aided the recovery and repair of the U.S. Pacific Fleet following the attack on December 7, 1941. Because the water was relatively shallow, many of the ships that were hit and "sunk" did not settle into deep water; instead, they rested with their decks well above the waterline. This allowed for easier access to the damaged vessels, facilitating their salvage, repair, and eventual return to duty.1