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The former French aircraft carrier was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean after several years of wandering and reversals in its fate.



The decision is strongly criticized by several organizations for the defense of the environment as the former flagship of the French navy, bought by Brazil in 2000, is filled with asbestos, paints and other toxic waste.The “planned and controlled sinking occurred late afternoon” Friday, February 3, some 350 kilometers from the Brazilian coast, in an area “approximately 5,000 meters deep” , explained the Brazilian Navy in a press release.Earlier in the week, the Navy said there is no other choice given the very degraded state of this old 266-meter-long hull, described as a “toxic package of 30,000 tonnes”.

I’m sad to hear this news, I knew it well because I sailed on it in the 80’s. Sad end .   

Rest in Peace, Maki's old friend

Is that the only way to dispose an old ship?

Damni wrote:

Is that the only way to dispose an old ship?
 

Its almost the worst way to dispose of an old ship...
There are ways to dismantle them and safely dispose of the pollutants. It looks like in this way the pollutants have just been sunk with the ship, to cause problems for years to come.

Ships are often 'recycled' for scrap metal. Some are stripped clean and sunk to make artificial coral reefs. I've even heard of some ships being sunk to make sites for scuba divers to explore and train in.

I get the impression in this case that them saying "there is no other choice" in this case means there is no cheaper choice. 
 

Yea it was intended as a rhetorical question

I get the impression in this case that them saying "there is no other choice" in this case means there is no cheaper choice.

Absolutely right!

Feels like a kick in the b.....  to anyone doing the right things for the environment.