23 July 2011

SINKEX: US Navy’s SINKING EXERCISE (SINKEX) program

What is SINKEX?

The Navy’s sinking exercise (SINKEX) program allows the Navy to fire on inactive naval warships to practice gunnery and torpedo accuracy, while also disposing of unwanted ships at sea. From 1970-1999 SINKEX accounted for 8% of all Navy vessel disposals; but from 2000-2008, SINKEX accounted for an alarming 70% of all disposals.

SINKEX is permitted by the U.S. EPA under a general ocean dumping permit.
This general permit allows naval vessels to be sunk with toxic materials left onboard, materials that are known to create hazards to human health and marine life as they transfer through the food chain.

Ex-USS CONOLLY disposed at sea in April 2009 via SINKEX. 
Image Source: US Navy Photo by LT Chris Brown
Source: DISHONORABLE DISPOSAL: The Case Against Dumping U.S. Naval Vessels at Sea; By Basel Action Network. July 2011

1 comment:

tony palmer said...

i am looking for a hoto/ video of the actual sinking of the uss dale cg 19 on april 6, 2000.do you have any in your archives.i have the sinkex showing the fighter firing at an animated ship. i want a video showing dale going down. my email is:tonypalmer_usnavy@yahoo.com