Archived press release

First Ship Arrives in Hartlepool

12 November 2003

Friends of the Earth today (Wednesday 12th November) called for an urgent inquiry into why ships from the US ghost fleet set sail from the United States and are to be moored in Hartlepool, as the first of the ships, the Caloosahatchee, arrives in the Tees.

Speaking at a press conference with local people in Hartlepool [1], Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper will say that explanations must be given for the catalogue of errors which led to the ships being allowed to come to Teesside, despite the fact that the shipment does not comply with international rules or community law.

Local residents Geoff Lilley and Barbara Crosbie will also speak at the press conference to highlight the concerns of the local community about the ships being moored in Hartlepool.

The first two boats have been given permission to be stored temporarily on Teesside because weather concerns make their immediate return "impracticable". The second two vessels are also heading towards Hartlepool, despite requests from the Government and the Environment Agency to turn back.

Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper said:

"The Government must hold an urgent public inquiry to establish how this situation has arisen. We have been raising concerns over the permissions for these boats for months and the Environment Agency indicated the ships should return before they arrived in UK waters. These ships should not be in the UK, but now that they are, everything must be done to ensure they are stored safely, given their proximity to an important international wildlife site. These vessels must be made safe to return to the United States as soon as possible."

Friends of the Earth's Director Tony Juniper and Head of policy and research Elaine Gilligan will be in Hartlepool on Wednesday 12th November and are available for interview.

Notes

[1] The press conference is being held at 11am at Seaton Carew Cricket Club, Elizabeth Way, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, (near the junction with the sea front at the south end (A178 Tees Road). See: www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=452265&Y=529580&A=Y&Z=1

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust