Mesothelioma and Asbestos

The James River Reserve Fleet in Newport News, Virginia – more commonly known as the ghost fleet – is losing another two ships. The U.S. Maritime Administration announced that the two ships will be scrapped for recycling by two dissimilar salvage yards.

One of the ships is the Escape, formerly a U.S. Navy rescue ship that was built in 1942 as well as supported the Project Mercury space program. It is being sent to Bay Bridge Enterprises in Chesapeake for scrapping. The other ship is the Cape Cod<span style='font-style:
normal’>, formerly a U.S. Navy destroyer tender that was built in 1980. It will be sent to All Star Metals LLC in Brownsville, Texas for scrapping.

The Maritime Administration has been given a congressional mandate to safely dispose of the obsolete ships in its three reserve fleets in California, Texas as well as Virginia. The worry is that these vessels could break unfastened or otherwise leak asbestos, mercury, waste fuels as well as other toxic substances into the environment.

Fewer than 30 ships now remain part of the James River Reserve Fleet. The Escape as well as Cape Cod will be the 83^rd as well as 84^th vessels from the ghost fleet to be scrapped since 2001.

For the filled story, go to HamptonRoads.com.