The Yomiuri Shimbun
A U.S. Navy barge was heading to Onahama Port in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, on Saturday, carrying fresh water to be pumped into reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
A Maritime Self-Defense Force multipurpose support vessel was towing the barge at speeds of up to 5 knots, or 9 kph per hour.
There are no U.S. crew members on the 50-meter-long barge, which is carrying about 1,140 tons of water.
The barge left the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Friday, bound first for Onahama Port and then another port closer to the troubled nuclear plant.
A second barge carrying the same amount of water was scheduled to leave Yokosuka base Saturday.
The water is expected to be channeled into the reactors and pools storing spent nuclear fuel rods early this week, sources said.
Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. has been pumping in seawater to cool down the reactors as an emergency measure.
However, the United States urged a change to fresh water, because the salt in seawater could cause corrosion inside the reactor. The U.S. Navy offered the use of its barges to transport fresh water.
At Onahama Port, the MSDF will prepare for pumping operations and consider how to moor the barges safely at the port closer to the nuclear power plant.
The barges are expected to arrive at their final destination early this week.
(Mar. 27, 2011)
No comments:
Post a Comment