I found out the USS John F Kennedy was sent here for scrapping. It was my dad's carrier that he served on during his service in the Navy.
RIP USS John F Kennedy
6/1/22
I've never visited this business but if those fabricators and welders can safely complete this monumental task - domestically, that's great. I recently read that the Kittyhawk is slated for recycling. I am fortunate to have frequented the Constellation, Ranger, and Kittyhawk.
I saw a documentary about sinking the Oriskany a few years back and prior to this, ISB spearheaded the lengthy and detailed preparation work.
I was instantly impressed! Any dealings with our Hero Ships, which served our nation well, must be done with respect and dignity. The men and women behind that documentary maintained that dignity!
I gave it 5 stars because International Shipbreaking Limited is just doing their job. I have been following the final journey(s) of my old destroyer, the USS Barry. After decommissioning, it served the public as a museum in Washington, DC, for many years. Next, it was chopped up a bit and towed to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Finally in 2020 it was towed to its final resting place, Brownsville, TX, where it will be unceremoniously butchered for a buck or two. Adios old friend.
EMR (International Shipbreakers) has been a great supporter of environmental causes in the Rio Grande Valley. They have provided dumpster support for various waterway cleanups including those of RGV Fishing Area and Waterway Cleanups of which I am managing director. Many thanks to Keith Jud and his crew!
The people there are just great. Offering fresh coffee, directions, and do a reasonable job of loading/unloading timely. I was a over weight on one axle and they offered to readjust the cargo, but it wasn't necessary. They weigh each axle if you want.
If you're crying for preserving every military ship that has been decommissioned, perhaps you should start a non-profit to garner funds to buy and preserve one. Acknowledging history is important, but the government doesn't have the money to preserve every ship ever built, and these companies provide an important recycling service while allowing the government to recoup a small amount of the money invested. Blaming a business for buying scrap from the government is unfair. the alternative would be all of these ships clogging up a port and rusting away.
**UPDATE***
I was contacted by International Shipbreaking and I am looking forward to getting the pad-eye real soon.
Through eBay, I was awaiting purchasing information on a pay-eye from here. Was promised to get it. Didn't hear anything any more for almost a year, despite emails and a phone call.
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