news release
    9th October 2003

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The first 2 'toxic' vessels of the Ghost Fleet have set sail from the East Coast of the US, bound for Hartlepool, Teeside. Despite widespread fear over the sea worthiness of the vessels and that they are carrying the most sinister of toxic cargoes, the UK has given the green light for them to arrive on Teeside to be scrapped and the toxic wastes offloaded.

The threats to the North East's coastline are real - the vessels are old, leaking and carrying environmentally and health threatening chemicals that include PCB's, asbestos and heavy diesel. The Tees area is wave rich and offers great surf, enjoyed by a large surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing community. The arrival and dismantling of these vessels and the 'cocktail of nasties' they carry could seriously affect recreational water sports activities both upstream and downstream of the planned dry dock.

During the last week SAS have been lobbying Transport and Environment Ministers of France, Ireland and Belgium in the hope that they would exclude the vessels passage through their territorial waters, after the UK Government gave them the green light. Despite offering nothing to these countries except the possibility of an environmental catastrophe these Governments have also given way and allowed for the first of what could be many shipments of toxic waste to arrive in the North East in dilapidated and antiquated vessels.

Friends of the Earth (FOE) continue to do a valiant job in exploring all legal channels available to stop these boats from ending up in the UK and together with US environmental groups have been successful in stopping any more sailings for the time being. A further legal challenge will be heard on the 20th October in the US where the courts will make judgement on whether the remaining 9 vessels can sail to the UK.

FOE are also pressing for the boats to be turned back as it appears that Hartlepool Borough Council do not have planning permission for the construction of the dry dock needed to dismantle the ships. How the UK authorities can even agree to allow for such a consignment of vessels to come to the UK without the necessary planning permission in place is unbelievable?

SAS believes these vessels should never have left the US where they should have been broken down locally and the toxic wastes offloaded and dealt with responsibly.

There are 200 jobs said to be on offer from this deal but for how long we have to ask ourselves? As long as the ghost fleet lasts - maybe even less if not all the vessels are deemed suitable to leave the US after pending court actions? Certainly the 'hazardous waste hot spot' of the UK tag won't be doing any favours for Hartlepool over the coming years.

Whilst new jobs, that could threaten health and the environment are being created by this contract, existing jobs in the recreational water sports industry which is experiencing rapid growth, looks to protect our water environment and promotes a healthy lifestyle may in retrospect be lost. Is it worth it? SAS believe it isn't!

Write now to Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson, 9 Scarborough Terrace, Hartlepool, TS24 7DA, alternatively you can email him via his website www.petermandelson.com

*Urge him to use his influence to turn back the ghost fleet as its not welcome on Teeside, and threatens our marine environment.

*Call on him to promote green and healthy industries moving to Teeside, like recreational water sports which although in their infancy are growing and creating working opportunities.

*Tell him we should not be investing in jobs that put the marine environment at risk and pose a potential threat to the health of those workers having to deal with toxic wastes and dangerous ships. The government is actively promoting a healthier workforce and nation through their 'Better Quality of Life' reports - this contract does not support that vision!

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