Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date: October 9, 2008
Contact: Lt. Shaun Edwards
(503) 240-2566 

Cleanup of derelict vessel continues
photos available

In this photo released by the Coast Guard  sacks of asbestos-contaminated material sit in a cargo hold aboard the derelict LST-1166. Cleanup of the vessel began in August and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Pacific Strike Team)

 
In this photo released by the Coast Guard workers clean the interior of a cargo hold aboard the derelict LST-1166. Cleanup of the vessel began in August and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Pacific Strike Team)

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Washington Department of Ecology are continuing to clean and remove hazardous materials from the derelict ex-USS Washtenaw County (LST-1166) on the Oregon side of the Columbia River near Longview, Wash. and Rainier, Ore. 

All asbestos has been removed from the superstructure of the vessel.  Workers have also removed all other hazardous materials from the superstructure, such as lead paint.  Asbestos removal continues throughout various spaces below the main deck of the ship.  The removal of all oily waste from the vessel is in progress.   

The project is running slightly ahead of schedule with an estimated clean-up completion date of the end of October 2008.

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