Firm Safety Measures for Nimitz Portcall: MoD

New Delhi, June 27: Strict environmental safety measures were in place at Chennai port in preparation for the proposed port-call by US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz next week, the Defence Ministry asserted today.

Seeking to reassure -- yet again -- the continuing opposition to the ''friendly visit'' by the US warship, the Ministry's chief spokesperson here said the Environmental Safety Committee (ESC) had already carried out a detailed survey at Chennai and cleared the visit of USS Nimitz from the radiation hazard point of view.

Besides, a stringent radiation monitoring protocol was in place which would -- at periodic intervals -- monitor and analyse air and water samples, the MoD spokesperson added.

The monitoring activities would be conducted under the ambit of a well-rehearsed Radiation Safety Contingency Plan under the stewardship of a Crisis Management Group and Crisis Management Cell comprising scientists from the Defence Research&Development Organisation (DRDO), the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, besides representatives of the Chennai Port Trust and the Indian Navy, he said.

USS Nimitz would be anchoring off Chennai during its scheduled port-call from July 1 to 5 next.

Giving further details, the spokesperson said this was not the first visit by a nuclear-powered ship to an Indian port.

Besides, the Indian navy has operated INS Chakra, a nuclear- powered submarine, from 1988 to 1991.

Additionally, nuclear-powered ships and submarines from France, United Kingdom and United States have visited Indian ports -- notable amongst them was the French Aircraft Carrier 'Charles De Gaulle' that had called at Goa in April 2004 and again in April 2006.

In fact, the spokesperson pointed out, the process of clearing a harbour for berthing of nuclear vessels evolved when INS Chakra was inducted into the Indian Navy on January 5, 1988. This included survey by an Environmental Survey Committee (ESC) constituted by the Scientific Advisor to he Defence Minister. A Radiation Safety Contingency Plan was also drawn up and implemented prior to he berthing of INS Chakra.

In 2001, the Indian Navy conducted the 'International Fleet Review' during which the French Nuclear Submarine 'Perle' berthed in Mumbai harbour from February 15 to 20. For this purpose the Environmental Safety Committee, as per 'Standard Operating Procedure', carried out a complete survey and examination of Mumbai harbour.

The procedure that is followed for any nuclear-powered ship or submarine berthing in any Indian port is well established since 1988 and involves the following: (a) The Environmental Safety Committee is intimated by the Ministry of Defence of an impending visit by a nuclear-powered ship or submarine. Thereafter, ESC proceeds to the port well in advance of the arrival of the nuclear-powered vessel and carries out a survey.

(b) Movement of the nuclear-powered ship takes place only during daylight hours, in good visibility and with escort tugs in attendance.

(c) No other ship is berthed within 200 metres radius of the nuclear-powered ship.

(d) Ships berthed within 600 metres of the nuclear-powered ship are kept at short notice -- not exceeding four hours -- to get underway.

(e) Radiation monitoring laboratories manned by DRDO/BARC scientists and Defence personnel, set up onboard a suitable ship, undertake frequent monitoring of water and air samples.

(f) Two safety zones are established around the nuclear powered ship:- -- Zone I (up to a radius of 0.2 km): Only authorised personnel enter this zone and quick evacuation should be possible in an emergency.

-- Zone II (up to a radius of 0.6 km): Local population is permitted within this zone.

-- Only authorised personnel and items leave the nuclear-powered ship.

The spokesperson said it was further pertinent to mention that a number of nuclear-powered vessels belonging to different Navies had so far visited Indian ports from 2001 to 2006.

The details were as follows: Dates Ship Country Port Feb 15-20, 2001 FNS Perle France Mumbai Apr 15-19, 2004 FNS Charles De Gaulle France Goa Apr 15-19, 2004 FNS Amethyst France Goa Oct 3- 5, 2004 USS Alexandria USA Goa Oct 9-11, 2004 USS Alexandria USA Goa Sep 28-29, 2005 USS Santa Fe USA Goa Oct 3- 8, 2005 USS Santa Fe USA Goa Mar 29-Apr 2, 2006 FNS Charles De GauIe France Goa May 19-23, 2006 HMS Sovereign UK Goa Oct 30-Nov 3, 2006 USS Providence USA Goa

UNI

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