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MARAD 26-04
Friday, November 26, 2004
Contact: Wes Irvin
Tel: (202) 366-5807
Sixth ‘High-Priority’ Ship Leaves James River Reserve Fleet
Mormacwave Headed to Texas to be Dismantled
For the sixth time this year, a retired ship considered a high priority for scrapping has left the U.S. Maritime Administration’s James River Reserve Fleet. The Mormacwave, the latest in a wave of ships that have left the river since this summer, left the fleet on Friday, November 26. It will be towed to the Esco Marine facility in Brownsville, Texas, to be dismantled.
“With every ship that leaves the fleet, we get one step closer to achieving the goal of removing all available ‘high-priority’ ships from the river this year,” said Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert.
The Mormacwave was built in 1962 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia. It was one of six California class self-sustaining breakbulk ships constructed for States Steamship Company for use on its trans-Pacific routes to the Far East.
The departure schedule is subject to weather and safety clearances. Preparations for towing must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Towing can take place only after the ship is deemed safe and seaworthy and if weather permits.
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