Minister insists leak in reactor of nuclear submarine was 'very small'
A MINISTER has insisted a leak in the reactor compartment of Devonport-based nuclear-powered submarine HMS Tireless was "very small".
MP Philip Dunne made the statement as campaigners accused the Royal Navy of a "cover-up", suggesting the leak was more serious than first indicated.
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Minisiter insists leak in reactor of nuclear submarine was 'very small'
Ian Avent, chairman of the Plymouth residents' group Community Awareness Nuclear Storage and Radiation, has called on Plymouth Moor View Labour MP Alison Seabeck to press the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for answers about safety concerns.
As previously reported in The Herald, HMS Tireless is undergoing repair in Devonport Dockyard after returning to Faslane Naval Base at the beginning February with the leak.
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Mr Avent said: "A leak in the cooling system of a nuclear reactor is a far from trivial occurrence, and some very serious questions need to be asked about just how this incident occurred, what risks it poses, and what steps have been taken to provide protection to the public, dockyard personnel, and submarine crew members.
"We appreciate that submarine operations are a sensitive topic for the Navy, but this has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with safety. To date the Navy has said nothing to reassure residents about the problems on board the submarine, fuelling fears that a significant incident is being covered up.
"There are very obvious risks in keeping ageing submarines in service beyond their design life, and the MoD must under no circumstances be allowed to relax submarine safety standards to compensate for delays in bringing new Astute class submarines into service".
Responding, Mr Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, said: "The recent coolant leak onboard HMS Tireless was a very small quantity and was caused by a very small defect in a system within the sealed reactor compartment of the submarine. There was no risk to the public, environment or the crew."
He said it was too early to confirm the cost or timescale of repairs.
"The impact of this defect on other submarines has been fully considered and, accordingly, it is not deemed necessary to carry out additional maintenance or inspections," he said.
An MoD spokesman added: "The MoD stresses that there was no and there is no risk to the public, environment or the crew."
7 Comments
by Mark2Plym
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 11:53PM
“The leak was within the the RC, fully contained! I would worry more about the incinerator.A reactor can't melt down with the rods down. Ps reactors are monitored 24 hours aday the standard of work is ok but perhaps the boats are to old. Tireless is at least 40 years old.”
by Minaturemike
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:19PM
“A leak in a nuclear reactor cooling system is not a trivial matter. If unchecked, cracking will expand and lead to loss of coolant and a reactor meltdown, with a release of radioactive material. Reactors should be monitored and maintained to prevent this from happening.
If there is a leak - even a small one - then someone will have to inspect and decontaminate the reactor compartment, resulting in them getting an unnecessary dose of radiation, adding to risks to their health.
Tireless had only left maintenance a few weeks before the leak, raising questions about the standard of work undertaken. The local residents are right to be concerned about this and MPs should be asking the Navy what exactly happened and what will be done to prevent it happening again.”
by BOREDOFPLYM1
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 4:59PM
“Get a grip u old fart the RC is full of pipes etc and just like pipes outside the RC once in a while u get a leak not unlike household plumbing albeit of a far increased standard low level conamination is sealed in the RC and removed for appropriate disposal - close mouth place hands in pockets and listen to those who have the appropriate knowledge and information and stop trying to scare everyone”
by CharlieDodd
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 4:46PM
“..'Minister Mr Dunne said: "The leak was no risk to the public, environment or the crew"..
Right, just issue them with wellies”
by harrydylan
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:45AM
“Here we go again - the predictable cries of 'cover up' form the usual suspects who, for the most part, have no idea what they are talking about and won't accept the facts anyway if they go against their own entrenched positions.”
by ImRonBurgundy
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:22AM
“It only takes a small leak to do the damage, this is radioactive material we're talking about.”
by leroc
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 8:25AM
“Minisiter???
Spell check please boys and girls!”