South Carolina Embarks on a Major Clean-Up Mission of Historic World War II Aircraft Carrier
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — In a noteworthy victory for environmental conservation, South Carolina is set to launch an elaborate clean-up mission of the iconic World War II aircraft carrier – the USS Yorktown. The state aims to remove toxic waste amounting to over 1.2 million gallons (4.5 million liters) from the decommissioned ship to prevent leakage that could cause irrevocable harm to the local commercial shipping industry and vital coastal ecosystems of Charleston Harbor.
An $18 Million Endeavour Preserving History
The clean-up, estimated to cost around $18 million, marks a significant stride towards the preservation of the USS Yorktown. After serving prudently in several campaigns across the Pacific Ocean and off Vietnam, the formidable carrier was donated to Charleston by the U.S. Navy in 1975. Today, it stands tall as one of the key attractions at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, drawing countless tourists to South Carolina every year.
The Looming Environmental Threat
However, this proud symbol of duty and honor was becoming synonymous with dangerous toxicity. Over the years, the risk of toxic waste leakage from the underlying storage tanks of the ship increased due to the corrosion by saltwater. Worryingly, a 2013 study estimated the presence of approximately 1.6 million gallons of dangerous waste onboard the USS Yorktown.
“The USS Yorktown should be known for concepts like duty and honor, not ‘dirty, harmful cleanup,'” emphasized Robert Boyles, director of South Carolina’s natural resources department, at a recent press conference.
Stepping up the Clean-Up Efforts
Recognizing the urgent need for action, the South Carolina Office of Resilience initiated the removal process in 2022 under an executive order signed by the state’s Republican Governor Henry McMaster. The clean-up operation has been funded using federal relief funds. To date, teams have identified over 400 tanks on board the vessel still containing large amounts of toxic waste, including 65,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil. Nearly 50 tanks have been cleared, with a total of nine tons of oily waste removed so far.
A Unique Challenge at Sea
The process of extracting the waste is particularly challenging due to the massive size of the storage tanks and the unique location of the ship. Yet, despite the ongoing operation, the USS Yorktown remains open for public visits, continuing its role as a core tourist attraction.
In the proud words of the state’s Governor, “Keeping this ship and this place, Patriots Point, booming for the rest of the state is our job.”
Setting Precedence for Similar Initiatives
This initiative is expected to set the stage for similar operations to preserve and safeguard historical warships in the future. While other ships have undergone similar remediation processes onshore, the USS Yorktown is believed to be the first of its kind being remediated at sea, marking a truly unprecedented endeavor.
As South Carolina spearheads these restoration efforts, the world watches, learning valuable lessons on how to preserve history without endangering the environment.
