New flotilla of 'ghost ships' could cross Atlantic to UK [View All]

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Sam Jones
Friday March 4, 2005
The Guardian

Britain may soon see a new flotilla of "ghost ships" sailing across the Atlantic after a US court ruled that more of the toxic vessels can be sent to the UK for disposal.

A federal judge has decided that nine ships from the James River reserve fleet could be sent to Britain to be broken up.

The decision is likely to provoke fury among environmentalists. Four of the ex-US navy vessels have already been towed across the Atlantic and are berthed in Hartlepool, Teesside, waiting to be dismantled.

However, Able UK, the firm that has a multi-million pound contract with the US Maritime Administration to scrap the rusting ships, which contain huge amounts of asbestos and toxic chemicals, has been told that it cannot begin work until planning and environmental regulations are met.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1430292,00.html