I was always a little torn about target ships, and then when I thought it through...it is better to be a target and end up on the bottom of the ocean with holes in you than to have Bangladeshi ship-breakers drag you up on a beach and pull you to pieces!
At least as a target, you get to perform a final service to your country...
Also as part of the sea cadet program i spent week ends on the CG cutter point bridge out of marina del rey ie Los Angeles they sold that one to costa rica