NIS Nuclear Information Service | submarines/ISOLUS

Ministry of Defence submarine dismantling consultation begins

Photo credit: Ministry of Defence

A sixteen week public consultation by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on options for dismantling submarines that have left service with the Royal Navy starts today (28 October 2011).

Full details of how to participate in the consultation process and consultation documents are available on the MoD's Submarine Dismantling Project web site. The consultation closes on 17 February 2012.

Submarine Dismantling Project: MoD releases SEA scoping report and site screening criteria

In January 2011 the Ministry of Defence released key documents on strategic environmental assessment and site selection criteria as the next stage in its Submarine Dismantling Project. Read more here.

AWE sites proposed for nuclear submarine radioactive waste dump

The two Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sites in Berkshire have been included on a secret shortlist of sites where the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is thinking of dumping radioactive waste from defunct nuclear powered submarines, according to an authoritative report in a Scottish newspaper.

Hansard on the movement and dismantling of defuelled nuclear submarines

*Angus Robertson:* To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Interim Storage of Laid-Up Submarines Group will commence its programme of dismantling the UK’s defuelled nuclear powered submarines.

Submarine Waste Fiasco

The MoD has secretly ordered the cutting up of a submarine’s nuclear reactor without waiting the recommended 30 years decay time and while the debate is still raging over the safest way to deal with it.

The Nuclear Submarine Forum (NSubF)'s response to the MoD's experimental cut up of a submarine nuclear reactor head in Devonport Dockyard

Nuclear reactor being dismantled in Devonport

In advance of agreement by the Interim Storage of Laid Up Submarines (ISOLUS) Advisory Group that meets on 11th March in Reading, the MoD has gone ahead and ordered the cut up of a submarine nuclear reactor. An ISOLUS Technical Options Group facilitated by Fraser Nash Ltd meeting last August, reported that 'cutting up' was not proved to be as safe as cutting the reactor compartment 'out' and storing it whole until radiation levels had decayed.

Hansard on Nuclear Submarines, 15th July

*Mr. Streeter:* To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status of the ISOLUS programme is; and if he will make a statement.