The first of two contaminated former US navy ships at the centre of a legal and environmental dispute has arrived off the coast of Hartlepool.
This follows government agreement last week that the ships could be stored temporarily on Teesside before being sent back to the United States.
Environmental campaigners are gathering for a protest vigil against the so-called ghost ships docking.
And Able UK, the firm planning to wreck the ships has to convince the courts that it has the correct permission to carry out the work.
Should the "ghost ships" be allowed to dock in Hartlepool? We would also like to see your pictures of the ships as they arrive on Teesside. Send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
This debate is now closed. The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
Much as I agree with the basic principle that the Americans should have scrapped these ships themselves, we need to reflect on the fact that we (together with numerous other countries) continue to send ships to be broken up on beaches on the Asian sub-continent (where it's far cheaper and where there is virtually no health and safety provision for workers who use their bare hands to dismantle the vessels).
Robert Crosby, Nottingham, UK
With the eyes of the country now looking for any slip up by Able UK surely the job will be done properly. But how many similar clean ups go unreported?
Alex Hitchmough, England
Hartlepool has been rejuvenated through investment. Tourism and the local environment have both benefited. There are many rare birds nesting here and we have a wild seal colony too. The new mariner is home to hundreds of fishing and pleasure boats, and the Historic Quay attracts 100,000 visitors per year. Two years ago the BBC's Holiday Program gave the town a fabulous review. The town has been reborn, and it is so sad to see all this hard work and good publicity undone by Able UK and the US Government. These ships are not good for Hartlepool.
Louise, Hartlepool, UK
Yes they should be dismantled here - far better than to run them aground on a beach in India/Pakistan/Bangladesh to be dismantled by hand with no regard to the environment or the safety of the workers.
John, UK (and yes I'm not in Hartlepool!)
 |  If they had been UK registered vessels rather than US would the same fuss have been made?  |
The report in the local paper on Teesside lists the materials of construction of the 'ghost ships', but they appear to have no cargo - contaminated/toxic or otherwise. They are conventional vessels constructed of the same materials as hundreds of ships still plying their trade around the world. Ships in this condition have been broken up at yards around the UK for many years without the least fuss being made about them. If they had been UK registered vessels rather than US would the same fuss have been made?
M. Conway, England My father was stationed aboard the USS Canopus AS 34, one of the so called "Toxic Ships" that was sent to your country to be broken. I can tell you that any toxic materials were removed during its numerous refits during its service life, any asbestos or PCB materials aren't in that particular ship.
The Canopus AS 34 was Ballistic missile submarine tender and was commissioned in 1963, long after use of asbestos had been banned in the United States. The Canopus was just decommissioned in 1994, so I doubt its hull integrity is compromised in any way. I'm not sure about the other two, but I can assure you that one is relatively safe.
Frank Adams, USA
We should be proud of being the world's dustbin for hazardous wastes. We have the environmental awareness and the strict regulatory climate to be successful and safe. This is the kind of high-tech business we need to sustain employment and economic growth
Thomas Tierney, UK
I am ten years old and every Thursday at school we have current affairs which is where we talk about the latest news. When we talked about the ghost ships I had a very strong opinion on this subject; I think its pathetic and feeble that America makes us do THEIR dirty work it just proves how lazy they really are!
Bryony MacAdam, England
| Ironically, you have no idea how dismayed Americans get when we find out work we can do is sent overseas |
Ironically, you have no idea how dismayed Americans get when we find out work we can do is sent overseas, instead of employing people here... so bring 'em back! Americans need the jobs! And we, as a nation, should enact legislation to forbid foreign contractors to bid on any jobs in the future. That will keep everyone happy, problem solved.
PM, NY, USA Suddenly everyone's an expert on Toxic waste? Look it doubt the concerns raised are as big as some would wish. Provided these ships are dismantled with all Health and Safety factors and with proper Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. I see no major problem. If anything it creates business and work and the result of not doing the task will likely mean the ships are sank in open waters! Much more of a eco problem I think?
Richard Sweetman, England
The asbestos in these ships is no different to the asbestos that is removed from buildings such as hospitals yet the environmentalists make no comments when these are stripped out, and no mention of the warship which is being sunk to provide leisure for divers and a habitat for fish, where were they when this was stripped out?
Ian Koszalinski, England
I'm don't generally consider myself an environmentalist because well beyond Kyoto, I've never really cared. These arguments over anti-American sentiments fuelling the debate however are worn now and quite frankly, ridiculous! It's a way to stifle genuine debate, which some Americans and Britons may fall for, but the rest of the world must remember that we have a right to criticise governments when we don't agree with them. That's not anti-American, it's pro-democracy!
HS, UK
I am sick of environmentalists and anti-war protesters claiming to represent the majority of the population of the UK. I am a mature student studying environmental management at BSc level and mingle with a mixture of people and the vast majority of these are not in agreement with these people.
Andrew Coxe, Wales
| Please, send them back, we need the work |
For what it's worth, US companies, who are breaking similar ships, howled in protest when your UK company won the contract for these ships disposal. Please, send them back, we need the work.
Chad, USA "Poisonous, rotting hulks"? Don't be ridiculous! If they were, they wouldn't have been allowed to sail and they would have sunk on the journey to the UK. The company has dealt with much more hazardous waste before, like a nuclear power core, which wasn't protested against so vigorously. Read the real facts not the tabloid lies.
Andrew McIntosh, Newcastle, UK
For goodness sake! My mother's ironing board had an asbestos iron rest on it. It's everywhere. A company has won business to dismantle ships. As long as they can demonstrate that they can carry out the work safely, let them get on with it! I wish these 'save the planet' people would get off their backsides and do some work, like those dockworkers want to do, this country would be far better off.
Iain, UK
The Government should never have allowed this fiasco to take place, but as usual they walk head first into yet another disaster. Let us make no bones about this, it is a disaster. Even if there is no leak of the poisons lurking on that ship, the Labour Government have once again thrown egg over their own faces by allowing a toxic ship to set sail and enter UK waters when not all the required permits are in place.
Paul, UK
It would have saved money if they had broken them in US, why was this not done Or is it the danger that may eventually be discovered. We need jobs, but safety comes first.
J Cartwright, Wales
Ship breaking is a substantial feed for mini-mills (steel mills using scrap). Have UK banks lent substantial sums to countries at the core of the ship breaking business, for the purchase of steel re-smelting plant? If they have, the last thing they want is the business to migrate to other places, because they may not get their money back if the mills are not continuously fed. This is where the environmental groups can help, they can actively resist any attempt at ship breaking here.
Jack, UK
| I find it disgraceful that ships carrying such large amounts of poisonous material are being dragged all over the Atlantic Ocean |
I find it disgraceful that ships carrying such large amounts of poisonous material are being dragged all over the Atlantic Ocean. I find it incredulous that there are plans to return the ships after winter has passed, thereby increasing the risks of leakage of these materials! These ships should be destroyed in the UK as soon as possible and the bill sent to the US.
Laurel Lindsay, Canada If these ships came from any country other than the US, would anyone even care?
Mary, USA
Making the assumption that ABLE is a reputable company, who is not known for killing and abusing its workers. Then the work should go ahead. If the work can be done safely then there are hundreds of ships owned by responsible nations that will need to be scrapped in an environmentally safe manner. The UK could make a ton of money by being the best in the world! One more option would be to let the people of Hartlepool vote on it and the rest of us keep our noses out!
Kevin Jennings, USA of UK birth
For goodness sake, get the job over and done with, Able UK, have tendered for the work, they say they can do it, and with all of the bad publicity, you can bet your life they will make a 1st class job of it, the eyes of the world are on them. Where would the environmentalists prefer the ships to go... a third world country, with no rules or regulations, calm down! It is only a ship, to be dismantled, with the best workforce in the UK to take care of the business. So... let them do it. The North East are not babies when it comes to scrapping ships.
F. Williamson, Middlesbrough England
The ships exist. They need to be dismantled. The place to do it has to be specialised, and hopefully selected according to sound procurement policies. This said, lessons do have to be learnt and applied. Must we yield to cynicism or may we live in trust?
Anthony Green, France
| This country has workers well able to handle, contain and dispose safely of the chemicals aboard these boats |
This country has workers well able to handle, contain and dispose safely of the chemicals aboard these boats. They have nothing on them that this and many other countries have had to deal with over the last 25 years. The environmentalists ought to learn to manage situations, not run away in blind panic. Someone has to do it. We can do it properly.
Stan Cooper, UK Why the hell are we having to do America's dirty work for them, we shouldn't be doing this, this is America's mess, not ours, they should be the one to clean this up. What is so hazardous a task the world's dominant superpower can do?
John Livingston, England
I can't help feeling that if these ships were coming from any other country apart from the USA, these so-called "environmentalists" wouldn't be kicking up quite the same amount of fuss.
Richard, UK
They are already here...polluting our waters! Is it worse to leave them docked for a year or so, before they attempt to travel back to the US, or are we better off dismantling them now ?
Clare, UK
Ya know, most Navy's used their old ships for target practice until the mid 70s, so I perplexed that environmental groups are throwing a hissy fit about a Navy that's trying to do the right thing. Seems far better than shooting them full of holes and scuttling them in our already polluted oceans.
Tom, USA
I do not think it's a problem as long as strict safety and environmental controls are in place
David Austin, UK
Do these environmentalists really care the environment or their self-sanctimony in believing that they are the ones who really care about the world? They talked about the chance of the ships breaking up on the trip. They did not. Now they are telling us that the ships should take another supposed "dangerous" trek across the Atlantic. Seems they are just trying to sensationalize a non-issue to me. Able want the job and the Americans want to pay for it. It's business.
Michael, UK in US
| ANY residual negative effects of this exercise will ultimately be paid for by the British Public |
A lot of the comments in favour of dismantling the ships in England appear very sure that UK companies are the most appropriate and capable of the job. I for one do not trust any organisation, British or not, who's motivation is cost reduction and profit to dispose of toxic waste in a fashion that will not harm the environment and the public. ANY residual negative effects of this exercise will ultimately be paid for by the British Public. America can have them back.
John, UK If the workforce in the area couldn't deal safely and professionally with hazardous materials, Able's plant wouldn't exist. It would have been destroyed by the nuclear explosion that would have occurred when the power station next door blew up! Let the ships be dismantled at Graythorp. I'm not worried and I live in Seaton Carew, which is possibly the closest residential area to Able's plant.
Tracey, Hartlepool, UK
I think that toxic ships should be not sent from a country to another! This is unexisting civil responsability. The US should be ashamed of it. They should be ashamed as well of all the environmental regulations they have broken or not agreed to in the last years...
Francesca, Italy
As a worker at a wrecking yard in the US, I certainly hope we listen to the concerns of the environmentalists and bring these horrid ships back here to wreck. We wouldn't want to contaminate Teesside with either the incredibly dangerous oil, electronics...or the money that the wreckers will earn.
Ray Lee Johnson, Georgia, USA
Having lived in Hartlepool some years back, I must say I can't think of a better place for Toxic "Ghost Ships" to end their days. As anyone who's ever been to Hartlepool can testify, it's not as if any natural beauty is being spoiled.
Jon Marsden, USA
What about the Navy ships that we scrap? They must have similar items and quantities, we send them off to Germany and Spain to be scrapped are we then passing the buck? Conversely why have they not been scrapped in the USA?
Richard Buttriss, UK
| I can not understand what the problem is |
I can not understand what the problem is. We have scrapped warships from the Royal Navy as well as foreign navies for many years in this country. As long as the correct environmental controls and health and safety measures are rigidly enforced, we are all quite safe and the balance of payments is healthier as well. We should be more concerned about proprietary fertilisers etc sold in garden centres and used indiscriminately in our own gardens as they cause more pollution being uncontrolled.
Bob Adcock, England Does Able UK dismantle contaminated ships from other countries or just from the UK? If the answer is from other countries, then let Able UK do their job. If Able UK services just UK vessels, then send the ships back to the US and get over it already.
John Saxton, USA
This is going to be another Brent Spar. Get the ships over here, get them dismantled. Get over it. The tree huggers are up in arms over something again with negligible risks. Let people do their jobs. I'd bet they would be first to complain about unemployment of the yard workers who rely on contracts like these.
Steven Hill, UK
There are some very interesting comments with regard to the dismantling of these ships in our town, it's a bit like six and two three's - yes it will create jobs for the people of our town and it will provide the area with money, and there is some negative points - yes they do have some dangerous chemicals on. But at the end of the day the environmentalists have a point but what they don't seem to realise is that there is a lot more other dangerous things to dismantle than just some old war ships. I say let them go ahead with dismantling them give able UK a chance they have very skilled workers!
Derek Noble, Hartlepool, UK
| These ships will be dismantled somewhere and better here where it can be done under controlled conditions |
If UK companies can do a job that no one else wants to do or win them against competitive tender and charge good money for it, why not? These ships will be dismantled somewhere and better here where it can be done under controlled conditions than elsewhere with an angle grinder and acetylene torch an not much else.
Ant, England Riddled with asbestos? So are most of the older factories in this country, along with artex ceilings, older car brake drums and lino on your kitchen floor.
N Evans, England
Let the ships come here to be dismantled safely. That is the best thing to do for the environment. This does not mean that we are the dustbin of the world, far from it. It shows that we have the highest and safest facilities to make these ships safe. I wouldn't mind in the slightest if they were working on the ships right next to my house.
Mark Prockter, England
I'd like to know how many of the people wanting to see these ships dismantled in Hartlepool actually live anywhere near the place. Yes rigs have been dismantled at Able for some time but if you actually drive around the place you will see that the same rigs have been sat there for years just rotting away. Are these ships going to go the same way? Rotting away in a yard that doesn't have the dry dock facility needed to allow for their dismantling safely? Putting the local community and Important Wildlife Sites at risk, what's the point of Seal Sands if it doesn't have any Seals?
Kara, Hartlepool, UK
| Let us complete the work on these ships and let's get some much needed jobs for the townspeople |
I would just like to say that all the people who are condemning the ships docking into our town are fools - yes fair enough they have some hazardous materials on board but people work with these materials every day it just happens that all of these materials are in the one place at the on time. I say let us complete the work on these ships and let's get some much needed jobs for the townspeople at the end of the day if the men/ women are good enough to complete this task and carry out the job to the maximum safety then go for it.
Derek Noble, Hartlepool, UK I would not describe these ships as being environmental time bombs as has been discussed in the media. In the UK we do have the facilities to dismantle them causing minimum damage to life and the environment. Let's not allow the work to be carried out in perhaps a thirds world country where safety standards are less stringent.
Paul Ties, UK
Presumably even with the safest dismantling, many of these hazardous materials will be disposed of in our already scarce landfill sites. Why should we become the dustbin of the world ? Is it time for the environment minister to fall on her sword? Let's have someone who is prepared to fight for the preservation of our beautiful country.
Franck, UK
| These ships will bring much needed work to the Teesside area |
I think the people complaining about these ships being dismantled in the UK need to shut up! It is not like they are carrying nuclear waste or anything! l am sure that the companies doing the dismantling know what they are doing, and will dispose of any hazardous materials safely and properly. These ships will bring much needed work to the Teesside area.
Andy Foster, USA ex UK I am getting really fed up with the bad journalism on this subject. All the media seems to be feeding off each other, trying to hype up this issue. I just heard the ships referred to as 'heavily contaminated' on the BBC Radio 4 news. The only contaminants that I have heard mentioned are asbestos, wiring, and a bit of oil, that are found in all ships, and most buildings!
Dave Ansell, UK
I totally disagree with the UK undertaking the disposal of these ships. The US are the largest polluters in the world but seem to want other nations to clean up their mess. The US do have the capability to dispose of these ships themselves and should do so accordingly.
Steve Grose, UK
| Dismantle the ones that are already here and have the US take care of the rest |
Friends of the Earth originally stated that they were against this because of the risks involved in transporting them across the Atlantic. Surely, therefore, the most environmentally sound solution would be to dismantle the ones that are already here and have the US take care of the rest. But wait, they have changed their story now and are saying Able have no licence, and want to send the ships on an equally risky return voyage. What are their real reasons I wonder, perhaps they only care about this little corner of the Earth where they live?
Stuart, Liverpool, UK Seems that most of the contaminants listed as being onboard these ships are things that would be found in almost all office buildings built before the 1980's such as lead paint and asbestos fireproofing, and most shocking of all fluorescent light bulbs that contain mercury. This seems like ridiculous scaremongering, by left wing environmentalists who should be glad to see these products be recycled or disposed of safely.
Patrick, Ireland
The danger of these ships has been blown completely out of proportion. Safely disposed of under strict guidelines the small amounts of asbestos and chemicals in each vessel will cause far less of problem than if they are beached in Bangladesh and cut up by hand on the shore.
Roger Taylor, England
I do not believe that there is any credible argument against these ships being dismantled in the UK. We have the technology, the facilities and the skills required to ensure that these ships are disposed of in the appropriate manner. This is just another case of narrow-minded and ill informed amateur environmentalism. Surely it is better that these ships are disposed of correctly rather than in some third world country without the necessary facilities or standards?
Charles Robertson, UK
| There should be a general responsibility of any country to clean up its own mess |
We in the UK are at the leading edge of most technologies so I'm sure that breaking these ships is well within our capabilities. That said anyone who blindly believes that this sort of work is without risk once the requirement to make a profit out of it is blinkered to say the least. Regardless of how safe these ships are with respect to others still operating I'd suggest that there should be a general responsibility of any country to clean up its own mess, not just pay to export it elsewhere.
Andy, UK I can see the point of this bun fight about the ships - However, I would like to point out that there are several thousand similar vessels sailing round under flags of convenience throughout the world that are just as bad and not likely to be scrapped but run till they sink. In addition to which, the tonnage sunk during both world wars and more recent conflicts equates to a much more significant pollution threat than that posed by the two (and the ones still in the US) ghost ships that are going be dealt with properly.
Richard Gaskin, England
| Let them dock, we need all the jobs we can get! |
Let them dock, we need all the jobs we can get! The yard would not have undertaken such a contract had they not been sure of the safety of their workers and the environment. There are other far more polluting practices going on elsewhere so the environmentalists should direct their attention there.
Claire Herbert, London I never cease to be amazed by the mentality of certain groups in this country, surely, with all our stringent environmental controls, this country is the perfect place to dispose of the "contaminated ships" at least all the nasty bits will be disposed of correctly rather than eventually ending up at the bottom of the sea somewhere causing an even bigger disaster. God knows there are enough ships there already, and British industry really needs the work as well.
Sean, UK
I'm beginning to think that GB now stands for Global Bin. This may create some jobs in the area, but lets be honest, who will be making the real money out of this, definitely not the people doing the work!
Matt, UK
I agree that a little knowledge is a bad thing, and I accept that the job may be easy for the companies involved, but this still creates waste for us to dispose of instead of the USA. They are a big enough and rich enough country to do the work themselves. On the other hand, it seems strange that the UK is complaining of taking on other countries waste when we gratefully handed over Brent Spar to mainland Europe for dismantling.
Joanne, UK
What is the big deal about these ships? It is bringing jobs to Hartlepool and money in to the area. There are 100's of ships coming in and out of the port with far worse chemicals on them.
Alex, Hartlepool, Cleveland
I am sure the skilled workers in Hartlepool can complete this work as safely as anyone. Why must people denigrate the jobs of these hard-working folk?
Neil, England
| These poisonous, rotting hulks should be sent back to where they belong |
As a Hartlepool resident, I feel strongly that these poisonous, rotting hulks should be sent back to where they belong, immediately. I do not believe for one second that the most technologically advanced nation on earth is less capable of dealing with these hulks than Hartlepool. It seems to be a clear case of the American government waving their dollars under the noses of Able UK management, with or without our government's involvement, in order to dump their rubbish on us. I also feel that the UK government's agreement to allow them to be 'stored temporarily' on Teesside is simply a ploy to allow wider media interest to wane, so that in a few months time local people are told that Able UK 'apparently' now have the correct permission to carry out the work.
Alan Turnbull, England One of the arguments for bringing these ships to England is that there are capable firms that can dismantle them safely with minimal risk to the environment whereas in poorer countries this might not be so. This argument does not convince; these ships are from the USA, and the USA is not a poor country! It surely has the technical know-how and resources to dispose of these ships safely.
Daniel, UK
This is a classic case of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing! All old ships have such things - I feel sorry for the companies involved dealing with activists who haven't got common sense!
James, UK
I have a lot of time for environmental groups but why do they sometimes insist on exaggerating the problem when in reality it's not that bad? I work within the shipping industry and I am fully aware of some of the risks involved in some of the materials in question. They are bad but not that bad and are in this case in relatively small quantities Surely it would be better from an environmental point of view to campaign to ensure that the materials are disposed of properly, thereby saving the environment on a world wide basis and providing jobs for the local community.
John Mac, UK
I have managed many UK demolition projects and the contamination issues that are mentioned are present. Mercury - common and garden florescent tubes. Asbestos - present in most buildings prior to the 90's. PCBs - wiring. Any decent specialist contractor should be able to deal with these issues If not, then the demolition site around the corner from you is a much graver risk and you cannot tow this to the States. Why is all this fuss being made?
Mr Philip Scott, UK
| None of the materials they contain will ever pose a hazard to the general public |
For heaven's sakes - there are more risks having a Sellafield than in dismantling old ships. None of the materials they contain will ever pose a hazard to the general public. The companies salvaging these ships have a keen interest in seeing that their men are protected and thus the surrounding environment. It means jobs for the region and there is nothing about these vessels that should give anyone reason to pause and think that there is something amiss. .
P.Jennings, UK The US are only giving us the job because we can do it without the safety and environmental consequences of sending them to Pakistan or Bangladesh. It is a poor reflection of UK industry that we are competing with the third world for ship breaking jobs. We should be building ships such as the Queen Mary 2 rather than the French. However, the demarcation disputes killed the British ship building industry.
Roger, England
So this is what the Great British Empire has finally ended up as. The dustbin of the world.
Anonymous
These ships are not "contaminated" with anything, at least no more contaminated than any old building or other structure assembled in the days before we knew the potential hazards of some construction materials. Second, this company was selected in open competition for a contract - several American companies also won contracts to break up and recycle the materials in others of the "ghost ships." In the past, EU nations have been permitted to send their "ghost ships" to Bangladesh or Pakistan or to Africa, where workers perform these tasks in dangerous and environmentally unsound manners. Why so little attention paid to that?
Mike, US
| Dismantling them will provide jobs and a much-needed financial injection in the north east |
If the Environment Agency grants a licence to dismantle the ships, proving that every possible measure will be taken to protect Hartlepool's health and safety, then why not let them in? They withdrew the licence for a good reason so let the UK company get it right and apply again. Dismantling them will provide jobs and a much-needed financial injection in the north east. But without the EA's endorsement they should be sent back immediately. The government should not be allowed to ride rough-shod over people's lives for the sake of putting the US' nose out of joint. The only reason this issue has made the headlines at all is because the Government is trying to bend its own rules.
Rachael S,UK The ships pose no more environmental risk then any other ship of that age being dismantled. I'm quite certain bids were put out to do this work and the lowest bidder won the contract. No one is being forced to do this. If you don't want ships dismantled because of environmental concerns that is ok. But why waste people's time by applying for a contract then back out on it at the very last minute? In fact why apply for the contract at all when it was going to be such a big problem? It is my guess that it has been only a big problem for a small group of environmentalists and they are taking advantage of the anti-USA sentiment to push their own hidden agenda's at the expense of the workers who would benefit.
Travis, Texas, USA
As one of the world's foremost seafaring countries it amazes me that the United Kingdom is not a world specialist in the field of ship-breaking. All the materials that I have seen listed as hazardous on these ships have protocols for their safe handling and disposal. It surprises me that specialist companies are not available and actively seeking this type of work in the UK. However seeing that this expertise is not available I agree completely with the environmental activists that these ships should be returned to the US and that the British Government should find professional breaking facilities abroad for ships under UK Flag when it comes to their scrapping.
Robert Lock, Canada
The North East has a great history and is known worldwide as a shipbuilders, we are responsible for building ships of that era with the same materials as that of the so called Ghost Ships. these ships do not present any major difficulties in being scrapped. Blyth once had one of the biggest ship breaking yards in the UK giving much needed work to the region. If we can be trusted to build ships then surely we can be trusted to dispose of them in a safe manner. The claims being made about these ships are frankly being made by people who have no idea what they are talking about, bring the ships and give Hartlepool the much needed work.
Jeff Waddle, England
Let the Americans dispose of their own rubbish. To say that they do not have the know-how or facilities sounds to be unbelievable. This is supposed to be the most powerful, richest country in the world - and they can't dispose of these ship. America is a big enough country - surely they've somewhere they could go. Return to sender......
Jo, U.K.
What's the big fuss about? Shouldn't we be proud that the US is sending them here to be dismantled? It's perfectly safe. After all there's more asbestos in the London underground that millions of people use every day.
Pat, England
Why were the US Authorities not told that the contaminated ships could not be dismantled in the UK prior to their setting off for the UK? Now we have the ludicrous situation of them continuing their journey into British waters and being allowed to dock. If they become the target of a terrorist attack the government should be held responsible for allowing this to happen. If they pose no more threat than any other vessel which needs to be broken up, why couldn't the Americans do this themselves? The UK should not be the dustbin for the Americans!
Sue Wood, England
| These ships could turn into valuable income and jobs for the people of Teesside |
I really can't see what all the fuss is about. There is nothing more hazardous in these ships that you would find in buildings in your local town or that oil cooled electrical transformer just down the road from your home. These ships could turn into valuable income and jobs for the people of Teesside and all the environmentalists seem to be interested in is slagging off the US again. Is this an environmental issue for them or a cheap political point to score?
Phil, UK The ships should be taken back to the US, and sunk in their waters.
Dave P, England
Those materials will only be harmful to the environment if they are not disposed of properly. Clearly there has been a gross over-reaction to the risks they pose. The benefits of doing the work here would far outweigh the disadvantages, its better than doing nothing or playing this ridiculous ping-pong over the Atlantic.
Sam C, England
Surely the only question is whether the facilities and workers in the UK are up to the job and can dismantle the ships safely. If they are then why turn down good business.
Alex, Spain
All of the contaminants declared to be aboard this ship have been dealt with time and again through the course of decontaminating British made products. There is therefore a great deal of experience present in how to deal with such chemicals safely in a controlled manner. Uncontrolled release is the main safety concern, which is more likely if the vessels in question are allowed to rot for another decade. I wonder if the people complaining about this are the same people complaining about the decline of British industry? I think it is time that the human race finally ditch the 'not in my back yard' approach to difficult questions.
,UK
Ship breaking is a valuable business and it has to be done somewhere, why not here? I think people are getting over excited about the risks. Obviously it will be done according to UK health and safety regulations and will give valuable employment to people. Currently, most of the world's ships are broken in India and Bangladesh with not the slightest regard for any health and safety. These campaigners should concentrate on the biggest problems first, if they are honest about their principles.
John Kerridge, Hartlepool, England
| This area has being building and dismantling rigs, ships and other heavy elements of industry for generations |
I am a Teesider and work in the petrochemical industry. Unbeknown to the rest of the country this area has being building and dismantling rigs, ships and other heavy elements of industry for generations. Teeside foundations are made up of heavy industry. This is what we do, it's what we are good at. I for one would welcome the ships and welcome the employment opportunities it would obviously bring. Bring them on!!
T. Marsden, England It's all very odd. You'd have thought that the US, being the world's most affluent and powerful nation, would do their its own ship-dismantling! Perhaps they know something about these ships that we are either going to find out about or never know!
Steve Fricker, England
These ships are no more dangerous than any other ship of their age. It is ridiculous to call them toxic ships which I think has more to do with anti-Americanism than science or fact. If the people of Hartlepool get work from the secure and safe disposal good for them is what I say.
Dave, Portsmouth, UK
Send them back to the USA immediately
Tom Tamplin, England
Which is more polluting - the oil platforms that are ALREADY dismantled here, or some old ships? I don't think people have the full facts in this debate.
Phill S, Teesside, UK
This government's record on environmental matters is diabolical. It seems they will permit any amount of damage to our beautiful country if there's a fast buck to be made. If they get their way, in 20 years time, Britain will be one vast housing estate surrounded by toxic ocean.
Steven Forrester, UK
| Another example of this government's total disregard of public opinion |
Those ships will eventually be dismantled in England whether we like it or not, because America wants it that way. This is just another example of this government's total disregard of public opinion.
Gerry Noble, UK It is wrong for these ships to be sent over to the UK to be dismantled. They belong to the US and therefore should be dismantled there. Why should we do their dirty work for them? It all comes down to money at the end of the day.
Joanne Edwards, Brighton, UK
They should be broken up in Hartlepool as planned. That is the environmentally best option.
G. S. Herrick, UK
Just typical! It is clearly illegal for these ghost ships to be here in the first place. Another breach of international law by the UK and US governments. As if they haven't broken enough international laws already. Why is legal action not being taken against the UK and US? More to the point, why can't the US take care of its own rubbish?.
Andy, UK
I disagree with the comment made by Andy, what international laws could he be referring to? As I have read it the company involved applied for, and got, the relevant permissions before the ships left the USA. It is only since, that the bleeding heart environmentalists have managed to challenge these permissions. If it is safe then go ahead, lord knows this country needs all the jobs it can get!
Mathew Gard, UK
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