Slow down the 'Ghost Fleet'

Slow down the 'Ghost Fleet': "Slow down the 'Ghost Fleet'
Newport needs the jobs offered by a ship-salvaging firm,
Sunday, December 11, 2005

but tough questions await before a deal is rushed through

T he Port of Newport is moving much too fast to help a Virginia company turn Yaquina Bay into the West Coast's only scrap yard for old ships from the nation's 'Ghost Fleet' anchored in California.

Port and Chamber of Commerce officials sprang this surprise on the community just days ago after months of private talks with the company. The deal's announced timeline was astonishing: Final agreement as early as next month with the dismantling of ships beginning this spring."