Last of 10 ships removed from Suisun Bay this week

July 27 -- The federal government has reached its court-mandated goal of removing 10 ships from the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet two months early.

A settlement in federal court had called for the U.S. Department of Transportation´s Maritime Administration to remove 10 ships from the Suisun Bay by Oct. 1. With the departure this week of the Taluga, the government met the goal two months ahead of schedule, MARAD said.

"The Obama Administration is making good on its commitment to clean up the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We are working to bring the fleet in line with our national goals for a safe and clean environment."

Forty-seven of the 57 mothballed ships slated for disposal remain in Suisun Bay. The court settlement requires removal of all of them, over time.

"We are pleased with the pace of the clean up and remain focused on the safe and responsible cleaning and disposal of these ships at Suisun Bay," said Maritime Administrator David Matsuda.

The Taluga was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler during World War II that served primarily in the Pacific theater of operations, providing petroleum products to combat ships where needed. The Florikan will be the next vessel removed from the site. It is scheduled to depart the fleet on July 27.

The Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet is one of three such facilities for obsolete ships operated by the Maritime Administration.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com