Governor Kaine Announces Troop Transport Vessel State To Leave James River Reserve Fleet On Wednesday

Press Release

- 59th vessel to be removed from "Ghost Fleet" since 2001 -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that the vessel State is scheduled to be removed from the James River Reserve Fleet tomorrow, Wednesday, July 18th. The State will be the 59th ship that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) has removed from the reserve fleet off Fort Eustis since January 1, 2001.

The contract to dismantle the State, first launched as the President Jackson, was awarded to Bay Bridge Enterprises of Chesapeake, which will recycle the ship at a cost of $851,194. After the State's departure, there will be 43 ships slated for disposal in the reserve fleet.

"The removal of obsolete vessels from the reserve fleet is a significant benefit to Virginians and helps ensure the protection of our environment," Governor Kaine said. "I am pleased that MARAD continues to acknowledge the need to have these ships dismantled so that we can better protect the James River and its surrounding ecosystem."

The James River, both in the vicinity of the reserve fleet and downriver, is one of the most important oyster seed areas in Virginia. Oysters are beneficial in filtering nutrients from the water, but because they are stationary as adults they are susceptible to taking in pollutants that can affect their health and marketability. A spill from a reserve fleet vessel, for instance, could have a significant impact on Virginia's oyster industry and the tidal wetlands and shoreline habitats of the James.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission will continue to work with MARAD to ensure that this will not occur, Governor Kaine said.

"Our excellent working relationship with the agencies and elected officials of the Commonwealth of Virginia makes it possible for us to make tremendous progress in our ship recycling operations," Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton said. "They recognize, as do we, that it is in the best interests of Virginia and the James River to remove obsolete vessels from the fleet as quickly as possible."

When the State was first launched as a passenger ship in 1950, it was considered a prime example of futuristic streamline design. The ship was taken over by the Navy and served as a troop transport named USNS Barrett. While the State has been at the James River site, it occasionally has been used by Army units as a platform for exercises.

According to MARAD, the World War II-era vessel Hoist will be bought soon by American Ship Recycling for $61,000 and leave the James River for Sparrows Point, Md. MARAD will continue to negotiate for the removal of additional ships in the next few months.

MARAD keeps ships at National Defense Reserve Fleet sites, which include the James River, to support U.S. armed forces movements and to respond to national emergencies.

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