Submarine in accident

Wednesday, January 20, 1993 - 11:00

Submarine in accident

By Ben Courtice

HOBART — The US nuclear submarine USS Topeka had its departure from Hobart delayed by an accident involving its anchor. According to the State Emergency Service, the delay was to ensure that the anchor cable, which was caught, did not cause any damage.

However, the Medical Association for the Prevention of War said that the incident highlighted that even simple manoeuvres and equipment can go wrong. "Under similar circumstances, a loss of propulsion because of the fouling of the propeller may have seen the submarine driven onto rocks before a towline could be secured", MAPW spokesperson Dr Bennett claimed.

Accidents are no strangers to the US Navy: there have been 200 involving nuclear submarines since 1954. At least 48 nuclear warheads and nine nuclear reactors already lie on the ocean floor.

The Hobart Port Safety Plan has no provision for dealing with nuclear weapon or major reactor accidents. Despite this, Tasmanian Premier Ray Groom wants to see more US submarines moored just 15 km from the centre of Hobart.

From GLW issue 84