Nuclear submarine leak at Devonport Dockyard

POLITICIANS in Plymouth are urging for “greater transparency” following reports of a leak onboard a nuclear submarine in Devonport Naval Base.

The incident, which according to the Ministry of Defence “did not pose any safety risk to the environment, the public or crew involved”, happened on March 25 on HMS Turbulent.

News of the leak emerged earlier today following a question by the Shadow Defence Minister, Julian Lewis, in Parliament about the number of radioactive leaks from submarines.

Quentin Davies, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, replied stating there had been nine leaks since 1997 that were “potentially radioactive”.

One of these – the most recent incident – was reported on HMS Turbulent as workers removed some flexible pipe work in a naval base dock.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said a “small quantity of water” leaked onto the submarine casing.

The leak was contained to the casing.

Plymouth Devonport MP, Alison Seabeck, questioned the release of information. She said: “It would be sensible for the Ministry of Defence to revise its policy on the information it passes on regarding this type of incident.

“We expect transparency. Clearly from what has been said there was no risk to the public, but there was also no risk in telling the local authorities about it.

“It is sometimes better to share information then not.

“It will be looking to bring this matter up with the Minister.”

Tory MP for South West Devon Gary Streeter said: “It’s an indicator of how cautious we should be before allowing the Government to name Plymouth as the location of where all the cutting up of old nuclear submarines takes place and how that must involve, before a decision is made, a significant period of consultation.

“You don’t play games with nuclear waste.”

When asked by The Herald about the incident Julian Lewis said: “The people of Devonport and Plymouth will want assurances from the Ministry of Defence that everything is being done to minimise the chances of this happening again.”

An MoD spokesman said: “On removal of the flexible pipe work, following completion of a routine flush of the discharge system using demineralised water, a small quantity of water leaked onto the submarine casing.

“The leak was contained to the casing.

“There was no radiation leak into the environment and no crew member was exposed to a radiation hazard.”

The spokesman added: “The incident – which was fully investigated – did not pose any safety risk to the environment, the public or crew involved.”

Paul Gainey of the Environment Agency said: “A small amount of water used to flush an active system on a submarine was spilt on to the top of the submarine casing.

“This was mopped up and the naval base operators said none of the water entered the river.

“Also, initial analysis of the material used to mop the water up shows no indication of radioactivity and this was supported by later more sensitive analysis.”

Last November an investigation was launched after hundreds of litres of radioactive coolant spilled from a Devonport-based nuclear submarine.

The liquid escaped into the River Tamar after an incident involving HMS Trafalgar.

The Royal Navy confirmed up to 280 litres of water, likely to have been contaminated with tritium, poured from a burst hose as it was being pumped from the submarine.

The submarine was alongside at Devonport, after undergoing routine maintenance.

No-one was hurt in the incident and the vessel’s nuclear power plant was unaffected.

Previous reported radioactive spills at the dockyard include one in October 2005, when it was confirmed 10 litres of water leaked out as the main reactor circuit of HMS Victorious was being cleaned to reduce radiation.

Earlier the same year the Environment Agency had threatened legal action against former dockyard owners Devonport Management Limited (DML) after two spillages within the space of a week.

There were 10 nuclear leaks at the base between 1980 and 1998, during which 570 litres of radioactive liquid was lost. The worst incident was in 1985 when around 350 litres was spilled.