The Ghost Fleet in the James River

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Ulrich Rudofsky
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The Ghost Fleet in the James River

Post by Ulrich Rudofsky »

There are about 45 ships waiting for disposal, anchored near Fort Eustis, Virginia. You can clearly see them on the Google Map. (Move and enlarge with the mouse)


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q ... &z=15&om=1

Maritime lifts 'Ghost Fleet' moratorium
4/30/2007
The Associated Press

(AP) — The U.S. Maritime Administration has lifted a moratorium on
the disposal of ships in the James River Reserve Fleet, clearing the
way for more of the rusting ships in the "ghost fleet" to be removed.

The agency had put a temporary freeze on ship disposal last month
while state agencies nationwide disputed how the ship hulls are
cleaned. The environmental dispute is holding up disposal work in
California and Texas, but Virginia officials have let the work
proceed.

Since last year, the Coast Guard has required that ship hulls be
brushed to remove marine growth that may have accumulated before it
is towed to foreign waters. Some complained the process could remove
lead paint or decayed metals that end up in the water.

While California officials have said state permits may be required
for such work, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality said
no permits are needed in the commonwealth. The move promoted the
maritime agency to lift the moratorium in Virginia.

"I am announcing today that the Maritime Administration is ending its
suspension on ship disposal in the James River Reserve Fleet at Fort
Eustis, Virginia," Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton wrote
in a letter to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Va.

Three ships slated to be removed from the fleet before the moratorium
could now leave Virginia as early as mid-May, said Shannon Russell, a
spokeswoman for the maritime agency. Additional ships could leave the
fleet later this year.

About 45 ships remain in the fleet anchored off of Fort Eustis. Those
decaying ships could pose an environmental risk as they age.

While the state Department of Environmental Quality approved of the
disposal work proceeding, it asked the maritime agency to clean the
ship hulls in dry-dock facilities instead of in open waters.

"We do have concerns that it be done properly," said spokesman Bill
Hayden. "But we know they're developing best-management practices to
control whatever might be coming off the hulls."
Ulrich
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marcelo_malara
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Post by marcelo_malara »

What are those ships?
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Ulrich Rudofsky
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Post by Ulrich Rudofsky »

Ulrich
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marcelo_malara
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Location: buenos aires

Post by marcelo_malara »

Wow, what a sin, all those beautiful ships...
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Ulrich Rudofsky
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Post by Ulrich Rudofsky »

It includes the USS IOWA! Unless a miracle happens http://www.ussiowa.org/mbrship/stockton.htm
Ulrich
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