Safety fears over Nuclear-sub berths
Scotsman.com News - Politics - Safety fears over N-sub berths: "
The Scotsman
Mon 16 May 2005
The MoD has concluded that specialists need to be present when nuclear submarines use the berths on the southern coast of Skye and at Loch Ewe.
JAMES KIRKUP
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
NUCLEAR submarines using little-known Highland berths present a risk of radiation leaks, an official safety assessment seen by The Scotsman has found.
And because of the risk, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided that whenever nuclear vessels use the berths - one on the southern coast of Skye, one at Loch Ewe in Wester Ross - a team of specialists will be deployed to the area to help manage any emergency response.
The 'Highsafe' emergency plan was drawn up by Highland Council earlier this year, in collaboration with the MoD, to set out planned responses to any nuclear accident at the so-called Z-berths at Broadford Bay on Skye, and at Loch Ewe.
The 101-page document sets out the risks and consequences of a so-called 'gamma shine' incident, in which radioactive material leaks from the reactor powering a submarine.
The remote Z-berths are among the most sensitive parts of the Royal Navy’s submarine infrastructure. While the MoD refuses to disclose how often they are used, the Highsafe document confirms that nuclear-powered vessels have been visiting them since 1963.
The Hazard Identification and Risks Evaluation (HIRE) of the two berths, carried out in February, concludes that while a radiation incident is unlikely, it cannot be ruled out.
'The HIRE for the submarine reactor has identified a number of scenarios which could lead to an off-site release of radioactive material,' the document concludes.
The report will generate fresh concern about the safety of nuclear technology. The Scottish National Party has said it intends to make opposition to the renewal of nuclear "
The Scotsman
Mon 16 May 2005
The MoD has concluded that specialists need to be present when nuclear submarines use the berths on the southern coast of Skye and at Loch Ewe.
JAMES KIRKUP
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
NUCLEAR submarines using little-known Highland berths present a risk of radiation leaks, an official safety assessment seen by The Scotsman has found.
And because of the risk, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided that whenever nuclear vessels use the berths - one on the southern coast of Skye, one at Loch Ewe in Wester Ross - a team of specialists will be deployed to the area to help manage any emergency response.
The 'Highsafe' emergency plan was drawn up by Highland Council earlier this year, in collaboration with the MoD, to set out planned responses to any nuclear accident at the so-called Z-berths at Broadford Bay on Skye, and at Loch Ewe.
The 101-page document sets out the risks and consequences of a so-called 'gamma shine' incident, in which radioactive material leaks from the reactor powering a submarine.
The remote Z-berths are among the most sensitive parts of the Royal Navy’s submarine infrastructure. While the MoD refuses to disclose how often they are used, the Highsafe document confirms that nuclear-powered vessels have been visiting them since 1963.
The Hazard Identification and Risks Evaluation (HIRE) of the two berths, carried out in February, concludes that while a radiation incident is unlikely, it cannot be ruled out.
'The HIRE for the submarine reactor has identified a number of scenarios which could lead to an off-site release of radioactive material,' the document concludes.
The report will generate fresh concern about the safety of nuclear technology. The Scottish National Party has said it intends to make opposition to the renewal of nuclear "
posted by Greta Jane at Sunday, May 15, 2005
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