Dismantling of mothballed K-431 submarine has been kicked off

01.10.2010 Zvezda shipyard (Far East) has completed preparatory works and started the utilization process of mothballed nuclear-powered sub K-431, reports RIA Novosti. Dismantling of the sub will be held under thorough control of radiation situation; if any threat of nuclear contamination to the shipyard of local populated areas appears, the works will be completely shut down. Utilization will be carried out without discharge of spent nuclear fuel.

Metal structures detached from the sub will undergo the closest radiation monitoring. They will be checked prior to and after disassembling, and while loading into transport trucks. Sub's sections unsuitable for remelting will be transported to Razboinik Harbor by pontoon; there is an interim storage for reactor blocks. All utilization works on K-431 are held in accordance with a contract tied between the state corporation Rosatom and Zvezda shipyard in Jan 2010.

Late July 2010 the emergency submarine was delivered to the shipyard from 30th Ship-Repair Plant which was initially selected for utilization of K-431. Early July personnel of the plant promulgated a collective letter where they insisted that dismantle of the sub poses a threat to the plant and neighboring town. Leadership of Zvezda shipyard answered that the emergency sub constituted no hazard, although later decided not to conduct utilization at 30th Ship-Repair Plant.

Nuclear-powered submarine K-431 was built in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in 1965. The accident happened to the sub on Aug 10, 1985 in Chazhma Harbor while reloading of nuclear fuel. Ten persons died at once, other ten had acute radiation syndrome, and 39 – radioreaction. Totally, 239 persons suffered from radiation then. After the accident K-431 was mothballed in Pavlovsk where she has been waiting for utilization.