OPB Article: The US government sold off these aging ships — leaving states in the Pacific Northwest to pay the price
The Pacific Producer, a nearly 80-year-old former government vessel, became a costly environmental hazard after being abandoned in Tacoma’s Thea Foss waterway. Following a multi-agency cleanup that removed thousands of gallons of hazardous waste, the ship is now set for demolition—bringing the total remediation and disposal cost to nearly $5 million. The case highlights a growing crisis in Washington and Oregon, where dozens of derelict ex-Navy and Coast Guard vessels have been abandoned, costing states over $21 million to remove. Experts and state officials are calling for stricter federal oversight and reforms to prevent unseaworthy government vessels from being sold to private owners who lack the resources to maintain or safely dispose of them.
Select the link to read the full article.
Original Article from OPB | Article Author: Aspen Ford
