Ghost fleet tanker breaks free, runs aground

[unhappycamper]

Ghost fleet tanker breaks free, runs aground
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 13, 2009 17:04:08 EST

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Maritime Administration is hoping to pull a 700-foot oil tanker back to its dock after the ship broke free of its moorings and ended up a half-mile downstream.

Officials say the Monongahela ran aground on a sand bank on the western side of the James River on Friday.

Heavy storms are likely to blame.

The 37,000-ton Navy fleet oiler is part of the James River Reserve Fleet, also known as the “Ghost Fleet.” Several dozen ships in the fleet are moored in the center of the river off Fort Eustis.

Many of the ships in the fleet have environmental hazards on board.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_navy_tanker_freed_111309/