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UK Coast Guard Gives Ghost Fleet the Green Light
4 October 2003
The UK coastguard has given the green light for ships from the US 'ghost fleet' to enter UK waters. The first two ships are expected to sail in the near future. Friends of the Earth has condemned the decision. A number of regulatory issues relating to the dismantling and disposal of the ships on
Teesside have yet to be resolved. These include:
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Uncertainty about whether Able UK has planning permission to build the facility (a rock-filled bund) for the scrapping of the boats.
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A licence from the Government for the bund to be built has yet to be granted.
Friends of the Earth's director, Tony Juniper, said:
"We are extremely disappointed that the UK coastguard has given permission for ships from the US ghost fleet to enter British waters, particularly as a number of regulatory issue relating to the disposal of these ships on Teesside have yet to be resolved. These clapped-out, toxic boats should be disposed of in the US, and not sent on a hazardous journey across the Atlantic.
"People in the north east will be justified in feeling badly let down by English Nature and the Environment Agency. These agencies appear to have done more to help this risky project proceed than protect the environment of Teesside."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
