 Work could start on the controversial ghost ships in April, Able UK boss Peter Stephenson said today. Today marks the first anniversary that the first of four ghost ships to make the trans-Atlantic crossing, the Caloosahatchee, docked at Graythorp under the gaze of the world's press. The Canopus, Compass Island and the Canisteo followed over the following days and weeks. But because of paperwork problems and court orders on doing the job since their arrival the ships have been virtually untouched - by order of the High Court. Today Mr Stephenson confidently predicted work would start early next year and said the first applications for the paperwork needed to do the job would be filed before the end of the month. The company's chief executive said: "We are certainly hoping that the New Year will see us making progress and delivering real benefits for the local community in terms of new job opportunities. "We are finalising our planning application and environmental impact assessment which will be submitted to Hartlepool Council by the end of the month. "Once the council has had the chance to consider the application we will then be in a position to obtain a waste management licence which will enable us begin work on recycling the vessels currently berthed at Graythorp. "If things go to plan we anticipate being in a position to begin work in April next year. "It is remarkable how many of those who were so quick to promote any scare story and jump on any bandwagon a year ago are now strangely muted in the face of the overwhelming evidence that their attempts to undermine our company and facility were totally without foundation. "In fact what we now see is clear recognition at both national and European level that there is a desperate need for the kind of facility we have developed at here to deal with the ever-growing environmental challenge of how redundant vessels can be dismantled and recycled in the safest and 'greenest' way possible. "Sense is now taking over from sensation and people are concentrating on facts rather than fiction, recognising that there is now a real opportunity for not just our company but the whole of the Teesside area to benefit. "I believe that the stand we have taken over this issue has helped to turn the tide and I would like to express our appreciation for the tremendous support we have received from our own staff, local MPs, many different agencies and organisations, including the Evening Gazette's 'Bring The Ships In' campaign." A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "A Water Quality and Sediment review in June 2004 concluded that there is "no evidence that the presence of the four US Naval ships has caused a change in water or sediment quality in Seaton Channel or in the Tees Estuary." ********** Timeline: 2003
Nov 12: The first of the ghost ships The Caloosahatchee docks at Graythorp.
Nov 14: Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson visits the ghost ships and speaks out in support of Able.
Dec 9: High Court rules existing permissions held by Able UK are not valid.
Dec 12: Friends of the Earth find holes in Able's waste management licence, forcing the company to apply for a fresh licence.
Dec 14: Peter Stephenson predicts work on the ships will begin in the spring. 2004
Jan 7: Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond, Peter Stephenson and Peter Mandelson meet Environment Minister Elliot Morley.
Jan 8: Protesters against the deal meet Environment Minister Elliot Morley.
March 12: Nine more ghost ships pass US safety tests and are cleared for departure
April 22: Elliot Morley tells the House of Commons dismantling the ships at Able UK's Graythorp yard is 'the best environmental option'.
May 4 : Stuart Drummond insists the hazaradous waste stripped from the ghost ships is returned to the US.
June 24: US yards are allocated some of the ships previously bound for Hartlepool in a straight swap deal.
August 12: Claims a fully accredited Able will dismantle decommissioned UK nuclear subs are dismissed.
October 13: US courtroom battle over the fate of the next nine ships kicks off. | 
