US Navy Postpones Nuclear Work at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

After two separate safety violations occurred at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the US Navy decided to suspend most of its nuclear work at the shipyard.

Pilot Online cited  Jeff Cunningham, a shipyard spokesman, as saying that the violations “were minor and did not result in any impact to the safety of the public, the environment or employees.”

The violations were against the US Navy’s rules for handling of potentially contaminated materials and were related to nuclear reactors.

The shipyard paused all work, except the most critical nuclear operations, on September 13 and it is not known when it will be resumed.

Affected by this suspension are the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the submarines USS Maryland and USS Albany.

The shipyard spokesperson added that it is still not sure whether this pause will influence the vessels’  return to the fleet.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff, September 29, 2014; Image: US Navy