Bay Bridge Enterprises Facility News

Two government ships, currently moored at a shipyard near Baltimore, Md., will be recycled at the Bay Bridge Enterprises facility in Chesapeake, Va., under the terms of contracts announced today by the Maritime Administration. Both are World War II-era ships, formerly anchored in the James River Reserve Fleet in Newport News, Va. Bay Bridge will receive $95,000 to dismantle the Hoist, and $695,000 to dismantle the Sphinx. Both ships were originally awarded to North American Ship Recycling, Inc. Those contracts were terminated by the Maritime Administration after notification by North American Ship Recycling, Inc. that the company had terminated all operations at the Sparrows Point Shipyard.

The State is scheduled to be towed from the James River Reserve Fleet on, July 18. It will be the 59th ship to leave the James River site since January 1, 2001. The State was formerly a training ship for the State University of New York Maritime College, and was known then as the Empire State V. Before that, it was a troop carrier, the USNS Barrett. It will be recycled at the Bay Bridge Enterprises facility in Chesapeake, Va. The State is expected to pass under the James River Bridge approximately two hours after the departure. However, be advised that such times vary widely depending on weather and other conditions.