Ghost Fleet wanderers - Page 5

How three nighttime photographers snuck aboard the abandoned ships of Suisun Bay

07.05.11 - 7:16 pm | Rebecca Bowe |

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Looking out from the Ghost Fleet. Photo by Scott Haefner

Aboard the deck of the USCGC Glacier. Photo by Scott Haefner

Inside the SS Export Bay. Photo by Jon Haeber

The interior of the USNS Mission Santa Ynez. Photo by Stephen Freskos

The tower of the Point Defiance. Photo by Stephen Freskos

Freskos touched on the safety issue in an online discussion about the project. "There were many long discussions about oxygen-deprived spaces such as anchor chain lockers and ballast tanks," he wrote. "There were contingency plans made for injuries. We carried a medical kit, we wore [life jackets], and took many other precautions." He also responded to those who questioned the wisdom of publicizing their late-night excursions to the Mothball Fleet. "I think I speak for the three of us when I say that we are well aware of the consequences," Freskos wrote. "But it's a passion of ours, and it's worth it."

The photographers' work can be viewed here, here, and here.

Comments

another missing record

http://platinum-ii.in has another few boats, where they simply went missing from marad, like the ss independence.

Posted by platinum-ii ss oceanic independence on Jul. 06, 2011 @ 10:27 am

Sea Shadow one more chance?

It just occured to me that the efforts of these guys have revealed a pretty healthy public interest in not just the adventure itself, but the decaying fleet. I know the Navy had recently given-up on finding a home for the Sea Shadow / Hughes Mining Barge combo, but maybe, just maybe this will give it one last chance.

Posted by BlakeL on Jul. 06, 2011 @ 4:51 pm

nice photos, interesting history

I love the photos and with little hesitation I respect their trespass - after all it was our blood, sweat, tears & tax dollars that paid to build these boats

Posted by Ian Waters on Jul. 07, 2011 @ 12:22 am

YOUR blood, sweat and tears?

Did you work in the yards? Were you even alive and working to pay the taxes? Besides, roughly half the ships at Suisun are not naval vessels, but retired merchant ships.

Posted by Bohemond on Jul. 10, 2011 @ 10:45 am

Couldn't help but think of this as I read the article

There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me;
Sign was painted, it said private property;
But on the back side it didn't say nothing;
That side was made for you and me.

-Woodie Guthrie, from "This Land is Your Land."

Posted by Greg on Jul. 07, 2011 @ 7:27 am