(1)   What is the involvement of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) in radiation protection planning for visits to Australian ports by nuclear powered warships.

(2)   Which Australian ports have been the subject of a radiological assessment by ARPANSA (or the former Nuclear Safety Bureau) for visits by nuclear powered warships and when were those assessments undertaken and finalised.

(1)   The Australia Government previously established an interdepartmental committee called the ‘Visiting Ships Panel (Nuclear) (VSP(N))’ to control arrangements for visits to Australia by nuclear-powered warships (NPW). ARPANSA provides two experts to VSP(N) and to its standing Technical Working Group, one for nuclear safety and one for radiation protection issues.         Arrangements for visits are documented in the Department of Defence manual Visits by Nuclear Powered Warships to Australian Ports (OPSMAN1), Edition 7, 2002. The responsibilities for ARPANSA as listed in the OPSMAN1 are:         through ARPANSA, the Department of Health and Ageing is responsible for:

• provision of technical advice on all aspects of nuclear reactor safety matters;
• provision of technical advice on nuclear reactor accident modelling;
• assessment of the suitability of specific ports for visits by NPW against radiological criteria; and
• provision of advice on radiation monitoring proposals.

   ARPANSA is also responsible for:

• participation in environmental radiation monitoring operations and performing analyses of samples as required;
• provision of thermoluminescent dosimeters to state authorities and RAN tug crews;
• participation with ANSTO in the initial compilation of summaries of radiation monitoring data;
• providing technical advisers as required; and
• having available back-up emergency monitoring equipment and personnel for use, if required, in the event of a reactor accident.

   In the event of a radiation emergency involving a nuclear powered warship, ARPANSA would undertake the role of Commonwealth Technical Advisor and provide advice on radiation protection to state and territory agencies.

   ARPANSA maintains a 24 hour radiation emergency duty officer and, during visits by vessels, also maintains an additional environmental monitoring capability that can be activated through Emergency Management Australia and the Commonwealth Disaster Response Plan in order to supplement state and territory resources and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation radiation monitoring teams.

   (2)   The ports that have been assessed and are approved for visits by nuclear powered warships are listed in the current edition of the OPSMAN1.

   Ports and their associated arrangements for visits are re-validated every two years by the Technical Working Group of the VSP(N).

(1) For special transient purposes only, such as emergency transfers of personnel.

(1) For special transient purposes only, such as emergency transfers of personnel.