MarAd: Suisan Bay cleanup ?ahead of schedule?

MarAd: Suisan Bay cleanup æahead of scheduleÆ

LaHood

   The U.S. Transportation Department's Maritime Administration is 'well ahead of schedule' in removing obsolete U.S. ships from the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Monday.
   Schedules agreed to in a settlement of litigation called for 10 ships to be removed by Oct. 1, but Monday's departure of the Taluga reaches the target two months early.
   'The Obama administration is making good on its commitment to clean up the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet,' LaHood said in a statement. 'We are working to bring the fleet in line with our national goals for a safe and clean environment.'
   In October 2009, the Obama administration directed the expedited cleanup of the fleet site and improved protection of the marine environment and surrounding bayside communities. Forty-seven of the 57 ships slated for disposal remain in Suisun Bay.
   The Taluga was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler during World War II that served mostly 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 anchorages maintained by MarAd for national defense and national emergency purposes.