Archived press release

Don't let ghost ships into UK waters

17 September 2003

Legal shot fired across the bows of UK Coastguard

Friends of the Earth's legal advisor has written to the Secretary of State's Representative (SOSREP) [1] at the UK Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) warning that ships from the US `ghost fleet' must not be permitted to enter British waters until all environmental impact assessments and other "appropriate assessments" required under wildlife and planning laws [2] have been carried out and all necessary permissions are in place.

British company Able (UK) wants to bring a fleet of dilapidated US ships, heavily polluted with asbestos, oil and PCBs, to Teesside for scrapping and disposal. But the plan has provoked a storm of protest on both sides of the Atlantic. Many fear that allowing the ships to embark on a 4,500 mile journey may lead to an environmental disaster, and they should be disposed of in the US and not Teesside.

In his letter to Robin Middleton, the Secretary of States Representative at the Maritime and Coastguards Agency (SOSREP), Phil Michaels, Friends of the Earth's legal advisor requested "immediate confirmation" that:

"the ships in question are not permitted to enter UK waters unless and until the Secretary of State and SOSREP are satisfied that all environmental impact assessments and other appropriate assessments, required under law to be carried out, have been carried out and that all necessary permissions are in place."

Friends of the Earth has been assured by SOSREP that the ships will not be allowed to leave the US until SOSREP in the UK has given the go ahead.

Later today, Hartlepool Borough Council is due to make a decision on whether to insist on an Environmental Impact Assessment before allowing construction of the dry dock wall that would allow ships from the `ghost fleet' to be dismantled and disposed of on Teesside.

Notes

[1] The SOSREP role was created as part of the Government's response to Lord Donaldson's Review of Salvage and Intervention and their command and control. On behalf of the Secretary of State SOSREP is able to oversee, control and if necessary, to intervene and exercise "ultimate command and control" acting in the over riding interest of the UK in salvage operations with in the UK waters involving vessels or fixed platforms where there is significant risk of pollution. SOSREP also has powers to act generally so as to prevent pollution occurring at sea.

[2] An environmental impact assessment is required under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1998. An "appropriate assessment" is required under the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994

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