British 'in a mess' over ghost ships

Friends of the Earth today accused the British government of “being in a right mess” over the so-called environment ’ghost ships’ after it emerged that permission has been given for two more to dock in Hartlepool.

The campaigning group said it was disappointed that just over a week after the government agreed that it would be best for the rusting vessels to be turned back, it had now given them clearance to head for Teesside.

Elaine Gilligan today told PA News: “The Government does not seem to be following through on its statement to ensure these boats were sent back to the United States.

“Why on earth are these ships going halfway around the world when there’s outstanding doubts about their future?

“It is disappointing news, but three months ago there were no questions about this issue, but we are now in a situation that with Friends of the Earth trying to uphold the law we have made a significant point about what is really going on here.

“The Government has not yet recognised how it has got itself into such a mess.

“The Government now has to keep its promise that on a long-term basis these ships have to go back to the States, to demonstrate they are standing up for the people of Teesside and the environment and environmental laws.”

Friends of the Earth director, Tony Juniper, today told PA News: “According to American figures the Canopus is itself bringing over 500 tonnes of hazardous materials to be disposed of adjacent to the community around Hartlepool.

“The Government already has a huge controversy on its hands, and if they had sent these second two ships to another British port they could have spread this controversy even more widely.

“We are not surprised they have been allowed to come to Hartlepool, but now we have make sure arrangements are made to make these vessels safe and that plans are laid for their return to the US.”

Mrs Beckett’s statement on November 6 said that, following talks with US authorities, it had been agreed the first two vessels could not go back and talks were taking place as to how they could be stored temporarily over the winter.

She said: “While the Government believes that in the circumstances it would be preferable for the ships to be returned to the United States while the regulatory issues are resolved, the Government recognises that immediate return to the United States of the first two ships, which are now approaching the Channel, would be impracticable.

“In the circumstances, we are exploring with the appropriate Agencies, colleagues in Government and the United States, how best to store the ships temporarily.”

She added that US authorities had raised serious concerns about the second set of ships being sent back.

She said: “We are working with the United States authorities to examine the safety and liability concerns they have raised to proposals that the second pair of ships return to the US.

“We take those concerns seriously, but believe the status of the second pair of ships must be clarified without delay and are pushing for a rapid resolution of that question.”