Nuclear ships
Protests at Nurrungar during Easter drew attention to the ongoing struggle against US bases and nuclear weapons. Another danger is presented by the visits of nuclear vessels.
Local medical staff in Darwin were recently appalled to learn, 24 hours in advance, that the nuclear sub USS Houston would arrive on the morning of March 25. This was the only forewarning they received to familiarise themselves with emergency procedures relating to possible low-intensity radiation accidents.
Many doctors in Darwin, including those associated with the Medical Association for the Prevention of War (MAPW), reject the official view that nuclear-powered vessels and the nuclear weapons they often carry are "safe."
Indeed, it would appear that the "official" view given to the public is quite different from the "official" view in government circles. A December 1990 report of the US Congress indicated that there are definite risks involved and that accidental release of plutonium or even detonation of nuclear warheads could not be excluded.
Experience has shown that all technologies are prone to accidents through equipment failure or human error, and no technology can be labelled "accident proof". MAPW points out that between 1965 and 1985, the US Navy reported an average of 32 nuclear weapon incidents and accidents per year, including 66 that occurred in port.
The people of Darwin were given no official public statement on the hazards associated with the visit of this particular vessel, and its arrival was generally kept very quiet until the last moment.
Yet the submarine is designed to carry up to 26 nuclear warheads, each with an explosive power of 200,000 tonnes of TNT. It has a single nuclear reactor and was moored in a port littered with World War II sunken ships from which live ammunition was being cleared as little as two weeks earlier. The tidal range in port was up and the cyclone season still current. These factors would have increased the risk of an accident occurring.
A public document exists covering emergency protocol in the event of a nuclear accident in Darwin. It appears however that few people have read it and there have been no public exercises regarding its practical implementation, according to MAPW.
New Zealand has banned visits by nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed vessels, and for this affront to the Pentagon has been excluded from automatic participation in US wars and preparations for war. Such "retaliation" by the US is a further strong reason in favour of Australia imposing the same ban.