'Ghost ships' arrive in UK waters

Two of the vessels are due to dock in the UK this week

Two US navy ships at the centre of an environmental and legal struggle have arrived in UK waters.

The contaminated ships have been towed across the Atlantic for dismantling in Hartlepool.

The environment secretary has ordered their return to the US, but says they can be stored temporarily on Teesside.

Able UK, awarded the contract for the so called "ghost ships", said the vessels' future would be determined after legal challenges had taken place.

Last Wednesday, the High Court blocked any work on the ships when they arrive after campaigners brought an action against Able UK.

Environmental groups argued that allowing the contaminated vessels to dock meant the UK was prepared to be the "dustbin of America".

Find out what is on board the ghost fleet

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed on Monday the ships - Canopus and Caloosahatchee - are in UK waters and are due to arrive on Teesside this week.

UK waters extend for 12 nautical miles - just under 14 miles - around the coast.

Weather conditions permitting, the first is due at Able UK's dock on Tuesday, with the second on Wednesday.

Two more ships are also believed to be en route to the UK.

Like all ships, they contain some hazardous materials, but they are not inherently dangerous Peter Mandelson Have Your Say: What next?

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said: "They are in UK waters.

"They will then make their way down along the south coast of England and then up through the Dover Strait to Teesside."

The High Court ruling was followed two days later by a decision from Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett to return the ships to the US on the grounds of "international rules and Community law".

However they will be allowed to remain in the UK over winter until it is safe to make the return journey.

The MP for Hartlepool, Peter Mandelson, has accused campaigners of scaremongering.

"They have alarmed and whipped up public opinion in Hartlepool and many fears amongst my constituents, and I think that is an irresponsible thing to do," he said.

Concerns about the toxicity of the ships were unfounded, he added.

"Like all ships, they contain some hazardous materials, but they are not inherently dangerous and they are not carrying any toxic cargo."

Friends of the Earth dismissed Mr Mandelson's stance, saying it "simply worked to make sure national and international laws are upheld and the environment and community is safeguarded".

"We are not alone in having serious concerns about these ships, the Environment Agency, the environment minister, the secretary of state for the environment and the EU's commissioner for the environment all now support our call for the ships to be returned," the group's executive director, Tony Juniper, said.

Able UK's managing director Peter Stephenson said a final decision on whether the dismantling work could take place would be made after a judicial review scheduled for next month.

A decision about the future of two other ships which are further out to sea, is yet to be made.

Oils and oily ballast water could cause damage to the marine environment.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen but is denser than water and non-soluble.

PCBs have been called "probable carcinogens" and have been linked with neurological and developmental problems in humans.

Mercury, lead, chromium and cadmium are highly toxic metals which accumulate in the body.

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