11-06-2010 par Marie-Amélie NéollierThe Matterhorn, abandoned by its owner in a French harbor

On March 3d, 2010, a French tribunal condemned the captain of a ship called "Matterhorn" to pay 1 million euros after spilling oil on purpose in the ocean. Five months later, nothing has been solved yet and problems continue. The ship owner went bankrupted,  he still has not paid the bail, and the Matterhorn is haunting Brest harbor in Brittany, where she has been anchored for over a year now. As for the crew, men stayed on the ship for months, salaries unpaid and fed by the population. A French association, "Mor Glaz", is trying very hard to help fighting the situation. Banners were hung on the boat, calling out for help, and the dismantling of the ship. Later, on June 8th, volunteers took the responsibility to start the dismantling of the ship by cutting off the mast and removing the boat’s identification.

What kind of future lies for "ghost ships" like the Matterhorn?

Surfrider Foundation Europe think that the French government should introduce new regulations  that would set up necessary measures to be taken when ships are abandoned by their owners.