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MP queries care of Polaris nuclear submarines

Rosyth - Pic shows part of the Rosyth naval dockyard.
Rosyth - Pic shows part of the Rosyth naval dockyard.

Thomas Docherty has written to the Nuclear Directorate to seek assurances the submarines stored at Rosyth Dockyard are being properly looked after.

He wrote to the directorate after discovering a second nuclear sub at the Fife yard had been holed below the waterline.

Seven decommissioned subs are currently held afloat at Rosyth, including four Polaris vessels: Revenge, Resolution, Renown and Repulse.

All of them have had their highly toxic fuel removed but parts of the vessels, including the reactor compartments, are still contaminated.

Last week The Courier revealed a second sub sprang a leak after being attacked by a common microbiological organism that emits sulphuric acid.

The organism has affected the North Sea oil industry for years but was first found at Rosyth in 2008 when it holed the Revenge.

Revenge, which has been held in floating storage at Rosyth for about 20 years, began listing to starboard, just like Resolution.

Divers discovered three holes in the Revenge’s outer skin. Seawater was getting into one of its external ballast tanks, but had not penetrated the pressure hull. The holes were immediately plugged.

At the time the Ministry of Defence said it would take each sub out of the water in turn and coat it with a protective paint.

Resolution was docked after work on the Revenge was completed and the MoD has confirmed problems were found on the second sub.

Now, Mr Docherty, who represents Dunfermline and West Fife, said he wants to know there is no risk to the surrounding communities.

The Labour MP has written to Dr Mike Weightman at the directorate to ask for his take on the situation.

He writes, “I have been notified that there are holes which have developed in a second submarine at Rosyth Dockyard.

“Are you able to reassure me that you are adequately satisfied that Babcock at Rosyth Dockyard are maintaining the redundant nuclear submarines that are stored in the vicinity in a manner that ensures no radiological risk to local communities and the environment?

“Were you also aware, before this correspondence, of the holes that have developed in the second submarine and are you satisfied with the conditions, and maintenance that is undertaken, of the submarines in general?

“I would also like to know if you are satisfied with the overall monitoring procedures that are adopted by Babcock in relation to the submarines.”

The submarines are the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence, who said the leak in the Resolution’s outer hull was immediately plugged and she has since been docked and treated with a special protective paint.

A spokesman told The Courier, “Resolution has completed her full re-preservation package and the other two boats are due dockings for fully re-preservation in 2011 and 2012 respectively.”

All of the subs completed underwater inspections in January of this year and as part of their routine care, the MoD said they were checked weekly.

A full above-water hull survey is carried out every 12 months and underwater surveys every two years due to the corrosion problem.

The other three subs, Churchill, Dreadnought and Swiftsure, have all been checked and are okay.

A long-term solution for what to do with the contaminated material on board the subs has yet to be found.