Page 272 - Beyond Decommissioning

Experience and lessons learned 253

6.7.1.2 Nuclear Ship Savannah, US (Maritime Park Association,
2013)(Lange, 1990)
Savannah was constructed as a co-project of the former Atomic Energy Commission
(AEC) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD). She operated from 1962 to 1965
in experimental service, at which time the AEC issued her operating license as a
nuclear facility. Savannah operated in demonstration service as a cargo ship until
1971 when she was removed from service.
The ship was visually beautiful, in fact she resembled more a cruise ship than a
cargo vessel (Fig. 6.41). She had 30 air-conditioned private cabins, a restaurant for
100 passengers, a lounge adaptable to cinema, a swimming pool and a library (all these
features having been relatively unused during the ship’s lifetime). Moreover, Savan-
nah performed well as a cargo ship. However, Savannah’ cargo space was limited in
comparison with her nonnuclear competitors. Her crew was much larger than compa-
rable traditional ships. There were expenses for a separate land organization in charge
of negotiating port visits and a dedicated shipyard had to be kept available for repairs.
Due to her design constraints, training demands, and the high staff numbers, Savannah
was much more expensive than a similarly sized, oil-fueled ship. Therefore, MARAD
permanently discontinued Savannah’s operation in 1971. It should be considered that
at that time oil was indeed a very inexpensive fuel.

Fig. 6.41 Savannah Nuclear Ship.
Courtesy of NRC.