UK urged to act over toxic fleet

Council chiefs in England have called on the British government today to turn back a fleet of so-called “ghost ships” heading for the UK.

Four former US Navy vessels contaminated with toxic chemicals are currently heading for the Able UK yard in Hartlepool to be scrapped.

Councillors in the town today voted unanimously to call on Transport Secretary Alistair Darling to use his powers to re-route the ships.

After the meeting, council chairman Carl Richardson said: “Clearly Hartlepool councillors are firmly of the view that the ships cannot be allowed to enter British waters given that there are a number of permissions not in place.

“This is a view shared by Environment Minister Elliot Morley, the Environment Agency and many other organisations and individuals.

“It is a very serious situation we are facing and the Secretary of State for Transport must use his powers now and order these ships to return to the USA.”

The vote was taken at an Extraordinary Council Meeting which was held in the town’s Civic Centre.

The council has already made it clear that the necessary planning permission was not in place to enable the ships to be dismantled in a dry dock facility.