news release
    30th October 2003

Our last demo saw SAS deliver 50 dolls with missing limbs to Able UK headquarters on Teesside in protest at the company importing what many have called the US's 'toxic ghost fleet'.

The demo was branded sick and misleading by Able UK but SAS delivered a strong REAL message about the danger of importing these chemicals. The U.S. government estimate that these ships contain 100 tons of persistent and toxic PCBs and 3,000 tons of fuel! PCBs have been linked to birth defects and cancers if they are not disposed of correctly, and can produce liberates dioxins, among the most toxic and persistent chemicals known to man. These chemicals will pass directly past an internationally important wildlife site in the Teesmouth and great surf breaks and popular beaches in the North East, East coast, South coast, South West, Ireland, France, Belgium.

Teesmouth and the Cleveland coasts' wildlife and habitats are actually designated as a special protection area under the European Birds Directive, but despite all of this 4 of the boats are due to arrive imminently!

If this wasn't enough question marks still remain over how the boats will be dismantled on Teesside? The UK Environment Agency and Marad have insisted on the boats being dismantled in a dry dock. However, Hartlepool council has not yet given planning permission for a dry dock and Ables' current dry dock is thought to be soaked with every incoming tide. Able have said they would be prepared to do the work in a wet dock, thus putting the River Tees at GREAT RISK!!

The remaining 9 boats in the Able contract have been stopped for the time being by American environmental groups taking the US Maritime Administration to court. A great decision but for how long?

The North East has a high number of recreational water users in the form of surfers, wind surfers, divers, sailors, kayakers, kite surfers and Joe Bloggs who uses the beach with the family. It also has some great local support for SAS and we felt we could and should help. 250 million pounds has been spent rejuvenating Hartlepool and trying to shake the 'dirty' image the North East has. Outdoor sports are booming and many new, sustainable jobs in this sector may be put under threat for 200 short term jobs Ables' contract is promising.

The North East has produced several national surfing champions, current British champion Sam Lamiroy said "Growing up in the North East I have come to love the coastline that we have up here as do a lot of the other recreational water users. It has some beautiful spots that can be compared to anywhere I have been to around the world. I am appalled that Able UK is putting them at risk and think it's atrocious that the Environment Agency has approved the importing of these 'toxic ships'. The US made these ships and their toxic waste, and therefore they should be dismantled in the US, not shipped over here, putting our environment and the health of our locals at risk. Asbestos (a known carcinogen) may end up in the North East landfills taking hundreds of years to break down and PCBs have been linked to birth defects. The 4 ships that are already on their way should be returned to the US and broken down there. Surfers Against Sewage are campaigning to stop more toxic ships coming over and the return of the 4 that are on route. The US reckon they are the only 1st world country, surely they are best equipped to deal with their own mess!!!"

Sam Lamiory BSc (hons), Pro surfer, British Champ!!

As can be seen on this website, SAS have already lobbied France, Belgium and Ireland and highlighting the possible environmental disasters these boats posed to these countries with no possible reward, they were urged to refuse these boats passage in their territorial waters. SAS also called on its members to contact Peter Mandelson, the local MP and stress the negative effects for these boats on local jobs, health, quality of life and the environment.

Racing back from Strasbourg (we'd been there for another demo!) where we heard a discussion in the European Parliament on the ghost fleet an SAS Hitsquad headed straight up to the North East to deliver the shocking but real message to Able UK.

Armed with our 10ft inflatable toxic drum, we suited up, with gas masks on, to present Able with 50 baby dolls with missing limbs. The dolls represented just one of the very real threats the toxic cargo comes with in that PCB's have been linked to birth defects. With local TV, newspapers and radio attending the demonstration SAS invited the company owner to come down and receive the dolls, however he left that task up to his security man on the gate. Many members from other groups attended the demo, including Friends of the Earth and local groups such as Impact.

It was a great demo but more needs to be done, the 4 that have left should be turned back, the remaining 9 need to stay in the US. They created the waste, they have the means and ability to dispose of the waste. We are not a dustbin for the US and neither are other countries such as India, Pakistan and China that all have very lenient environmental laws. Please write to your local MP asking them to question the Government on this topic and express on your behalf that WE DON'T WANT THE US' s TOXIC WASTE!!!!!!!!!

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