Hole found in nuclear submarine

SAFETY fears have been raised after a hole was discovered in the hull of a nuclear submarine berthed in the Firth of Forth.

The hole – about the size of a fist – was found during routine checks on the decommissioned sub HMS Revenge at Rosyth Dockyard.

The vessel is one of seven redundant nuclear subs stored at Rosyth by the Royal Navy since the early 1980s.

The breach, discovered during a routine inspection in February, was in one of six external ballast tanks of the Polaris submarine, and was immediately sealed by Navy engineers.

Although weapons and high-level radioactive fuel have long since been removed from the submarines, successive governments have failed to come up with a safe way of disposing of the radioactive reactor compartments, which remain at the centre of the subs.

Navy chiefs today said the hole had been caused by microbes in the water and was repaired immediately, with no danger to the public.

Environmentalists today said the incident was a reminder that a long-term solution for the ageing subs was needed.

John Large, a leading UK nuclear consultant, said: "This is a significant incident as it will force the MoD finally to make a decision on this after years of humming and hawing.

"The indecision and incompetence shown by the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy over what to do with these boats has been absolutely staggering.

"They've had no strategy and just to leave them afloat to rot really beggars belief.

"You have to remember that up until 1985, the Royal Navy's policy on what to do with these old nuclear submarines was simply to dump them at sea.

"I would imagine that when they take Revenge out of the water it will be like a car's MoT – once they find one thing wrong, they'll find others."

The hole on HMS Revenge was discovered on one of six external ballast tanks, which are about half an inch thick compared with the inner hull, which is an inch and a half thick.

The vessel will be moved to a dry dock next month to allow the vessel's hull to undergo a thorough examination.

Pete Roche, an anti-nuclear campaigner and energy consultant, said: "This is very worrying news, but the problem is that nobody is coming up with any ideas on what to do with them."

In April 1983, Britain's first nuclear sub, HMS Dreadnought, was towed into Rosyth at the end of her service and six others have followed.

Stuart Hay, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "This just goes to show the madness of going ahead with a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK."

Royal Navy spokesman Neil Smith said: "The hole was immediately plugged. There was no chance of the boat sinking and absolutely no risk to the environment or wider community."

Forth U-boat to be protected war grave
CAMPAIGNERS have won their battle to have the wreck of a German U-boat, sunk off the Firth of Forth, declared a protected war grave.

U-714 was sunk in March 1945 by depth charges from South African frigate HMSAS Natal and the British destroyer HMS Vivern. All of the ship's 50-strong crew were lost.

Roger Williams, who was 18 when he dropped the depth charges, and Axel Schwebcke, the son of the 27-year-old German skipper who died, have campaigned for the wreck to get protected status.

The wreck of the U-boat was discovered by divers from South Queensferry Sub Aqua Club 18 months ago.

Mr Williams, who lives in South Africa, said his campaign was not about guilt or regret. He said: "It was the circumstance of the time. We have respect for seamen of all nations; that is part of the brotherhood of the sea."

Stevie Adams, from South Queensferry, who helped find the site, said he kept its location secret so it was not disturbed by looters. He said: "This protected status is great, because it does mean that people are told they can look but not touch anything at the site."

• Committee on Radioactive
Waste Management