UK/US "ghost fleet" dilemma

[Fencer128]

Hi,

Saw this link describing the problem.

These ships are contaminated hulks under tow in the mid-atlantic. The UK has decided not to allow them in terratorial waters for the purposes of scrapping.

Hartlepool councillors called for Transport Secretary Alistair Darling to send the so-called 'ghost fleet' - contaminated with chemicals including asbestos and heavy diesel - back to the US.

Four of the 13 vessels are currently being towed on a 4,000-mile journey across the Atlantic, although the Environment Agency has refused permission to import them on planning and environmental grounds.

The deal was blocked last week when the EA withdrew its approval, citing planning and environmental concerns over the docking facilities available.

Last month the US sent the first ships out despite EA advice that they should stay docked until the doubts were resolved.

Any thoughts on what should be done/who should pay/be to blame? What's the US POV on this?

Cheers,

Andy