N-Base Briefing 439


N-Base Briefing 430
15th January 2005

ISSN 1478-4661

Sellafield storm

Five thousand non-essential workers were sent home from Sellafield this week as a safety measure because of the storm-force winds. The site lost external power several times and needed to rely on its own generators. Some damage to buildings was reported.

Port agreement

The US has signed an agreement with the Bahamian government that will see radiation detection equipment installed at seaports to detect illegal shipments of radioactive material. The 'Megaports Initiative' has already resulted in similar agreements with Greece, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands.

Diving report

The UKAEA has published a paper on the use of sodium iodide detectors to search for radioactive particles on the seabed off Dounreay rather than using divers. The paper was first presented to the International Conference on Isotopes in Environmental Studies - Aquatic Forum last year in Monaco. Details at www.ukaea.org.uk/dounreay/beach-sodium_iodide.htm

Submarine accident

One crewman was killed this week when the nuclear submarine USS San Francisco ran aground south of Guam. Twenty-three other sailors were injured in the accident when the submarine apparently struck an uncharted underwater sea mountain while cruising at a depth of 120 metres.

Armed police

Armed police are likely to be stationed at all the UK's nuclear reactor sites after a Department of Trade and Industry review of security. The police will come from the UKAEA Constabulary.

Nuclear support

Alan Watson, the Scottish minister who was reported last week to be predicting a future for nuclear power in Scotland is a Labour MSP, not Liberal Democrat as stated.