Newport News “Ghost Fleet” sells submarine rescue ship
Former U.S. Navy ships may find themselves a part of the James River Reserve Fleet, also known as Newport News, Virginia’s “Ghost Fleet.” The reserve fleet has lost its 80th ship, the submarine rescue ship Ortolan. The U.S. Department of Transportation said that the Ortolan departed the fleet at 9:50 am on Monday morning, July 20, 2009 for recycling at Esco Marine Inc. of Brownsville, Texas.
The U.S. Maritime Administration has been sending the rusting hulks of the “Ghost Fleet” ships to salvage yards or having them converted and sunk as artificial reefs since 2001. Officials in Virginia have been advocating for the sale of the reserve fleet out of fear that a storm could contaminate the area with oil and asbestos from the ships that have retired there.
For the full story, go to Houston Chronicle.
