Elizabeth River spill a reminder of Ghost fleet 's dangers

Federal officials have done a commendable job of reducing the floating threat of the James River Reserve Fleet. Because of the persistence shown by the late Rep. Jo Ann Davis, and the profitable business of salvaging scrap metal, at least 75 vessels have been removed from the aptly named "ghost fleet" since 2001, at the site off Fort Eustis in Newport News.

Incidents such as Monday's spill in the Elizabeth River illustrate why state and federal officials must continue to pay attention to the potential hazards of the ghost fleet. The old ships in that fleet, with thinning hulls, can potentially leak all sorts of nasty stuff, including waste oils, toxic substances and lead paint.

A decommissioned ship, the Rude, spilled more than 1,400 gallons of diesel fuel into the Elizabeth River in Norfolk because of a busted cooling tube, a Coast Guard spokesman said. The tube carries water to and from the engines.

Several agencies were cleaning up the spilled fuel. The Coast Guard gave no timetable for completing the cleanup.

Such a calamity could happen many times over in the James River. That's why residents and officials in the region owe a debt to Davis, as well as to the agencies that are taking the threat of such spills seriously.