US Government ends sinking of old ships to create artificial reefs

THE US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has adopted a new policy that terminates the federal artificial reefing programme that allowed the scuttling of old ships to create artificial reefs dating back to the Liberty Ship Act of 1972.

Forty-five ships have been disposed in his manner at sea, along with toxic substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals built into each vessel, as well as many millions of dollars worth of steel and non-ferrous metal resource, said the Basel Action Network (BAN), the US environmental lobby that campaigned against the practice.

BAN said it was a victory for both US jobs and the environment. The group has campaigned against affordable ship scrapping in India and seeks official mandates to re-patriate the work to the US.

"The Obama Administration got this one right, and they should be commended for finally putting into place a more conservative policy that protects our resources, our jobs, as well as the marine environment," said Colby Self of the Basel Action Network.

The policy has been supported by a study of the sunken Ex-Oriskany aircraft carrier in Florida by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which found PCB migration in the marine food chain, said BAN.