RT.com
31 Jan 2023, 18:47 GMT+10
The botched repairs reportedly prompted an urgent investigation as defense chiefs demanded assurances about future work
UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace has reportedly called for an urgent investigation after The Sun revealed that a routine inspection aboard one of Britain's Trident nuclear submarines found evidence of bizarrely botched repair work.
According to a detailed report by the outlet, workers allegedly used super glue to fix a number of broken bolt heads used to hold together cooling pipes in the nuclear reactor of the HMS Vanguard. The civilian staff from defense contractor Babcock appears to have originally damaged the bolts by shearing them off through clumsy over-tightening. However, instead of boring out the broken shafts and replacing them, they simply glued the heads back on.
The Sun notes that there were at least seven bolts repaired this way, all of which held insulation in place on coolant pipes which are responsible for preventing meltdown of the reactor.
The technicians apparently never reported any details of their work to their higher-ups and simply filed a "process of work issue." The potentially catastrophic repairs were only noticed earlier this month when one of the bolts fell apart during a routine check ahead of a scheduled first firing of the reactor at maximum power.
The incident reportedly sparked outrage among defense officials. Wallace has demanded a meeting and "assurances about future work," The Sun writes.
A Navy source told the outlet that he was furious that Babcock had failed to inform defense officials about the botched repairs. "It's a disgrace. You can't cut corners with nuclear. Standards are standards. Nuclear standards are never compromised," he told The Sun.
Repair work aboard the HMS Vanguard is being done as part of dry dock refurbishment at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, which is already four years behind schedule and around Pound 300 million ($370 million) over budget.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of The UK News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to The UK News.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks were volatile again Friday as President Donald Trump blasted Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell for...
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Europesn Central Bank has slashed official interest rates in the wake of the financial crisis triggered by...
BISMARCK, North Dakota: Federal officials have ordered the company running the Keystone Pipeline to take several safety steps after...
GANAPAVARAM, India/GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador: India's shrimp exporters are facing mounting uncertainty as new U.S. tariffs threaten to disrupt...
NEW YORK, New York - Technology stocks fell sharply Wednesday, dragging down the industrial sector in its wake, as Donald Trump's trade...
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/TOKYO: U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his opposition to a foreign takeover of U.S. Steel, casting renewed...
(250418) -- FRANKFURT, April 18, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Ange Postecoglu, head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, instructs during the UEFA Europa...
Madrid [Spain], April 17 (ANI): Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave the club after the Copa del Rey final on...
(Photo credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images) Expect the ball to be in play, and likely hit on the ground, when the Texas Rangers host...
(250417) -- MADRID, April 17, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois celebrates after blocking a penalty by Bukayo...
(250417) -- MILAN, April 17, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Inter Milan's head coach Simone Inzaghi (L) celebrates at the end of the UEFA Champions...
(Photo credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images) The Texas Rangers look to increase their hold on the top spot in the division when they...