Nuclear submarine HMS Anson recently docked in Gibraltar Harbour, drawing the ire of Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción, a Spanish environmental organisation that has warned of potential risks to local populations and the Strait of Gibraltar’s marine environment.
Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción has publicly denounced HMS Anson’s arrival, labelling such submarines as “floating bombs” and insisting that “we continue to maintain our protest against the arrival of these submarines that sail with a nuclear reactor and put the Strait of Gibraltar and those who live in this area at risk.”
The group contends that older nuclear reactors may be more vulnerable to disasters, citing “earthquakes, floods, extreme weather events or ageing and the management of the nuclear industry itself and accidents” as contributing factors.
They demand an end to visits by nuclear-powered submarines, calling for the “definitive withdrawal of these vessels” and rejecting the introduction of any new nuclear emergency plans, something, which of course isn’t going to happen.
Authorities maintain that these vessels adhere to strict safety protocols. Nonetheless, Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción remains firm in its opposition, “We do not have nor do we want a nuclear emergency plan, but rather that they leave.”
Local officials in Gibraltar have not publicly addressed the group’s specific allegations, and there is no indication of any forthcoming change in UK policy regarding the docking of nuclear-powered vessels at the British Overseas Territory.
The group contends that older nuclear reactors may be more vulnerable to disasters, citing “earthquakes, floods, extreme weather events or ageing and the management of the nuclear industry itself and accidents” as contributing factors……. given that Anson is only just entering service i.e. brand new that means the group are certified idiots!
Not to mention that floods or extreme weather don’t do squat to a submarine, and an earthquake in that region is extremely unlikely.
Plenty of earthquakes in that region, caused by the African continent pushing north.
Well said!
Do they even know that nuclear submarines have been docking in Gib since the 1960s that I know of and why only the British , why not also object to the enormous US aircraft carriers that frequently pass by , which hold more than just one reactor
Well, fancy the Spanish protesting about activity in Gibraltar! Really, whatever next?
They’ll be blaming climate change for the storms that sank the Amarda next…
Perhaps a group of British submariners should protest at the barbaric cruelty inflicted upon bulls for centuries in the name of entertainment?…
Bravo.
And chickens…you would not believe what they do to chickens..🐔🐥🐣
Do tell.
I.don’t want to know…
I’m sure we have a few £ b laying around we can bung them to keep quiet🙄
Like building FSS?
Do the letters: “F O” mean anything to them?
To the Spanish my your own business 🙄 . Hard to believe Spain is part of NATO at times . 🇬🇧
There is an X Berth on Gib I think?
An X Berth differs from a Z Berth in that maintenance may be carried out?
Andy, Deep, ABC will be able to confirm, Correct me?
Correct mate, X berth allow for maintenance and repairs, whilst Z berth are primarily for visits/short term stays to load stuff.
As I thought. Ta.
Do any USN Nuclear vessels visit Rota?
It are they only interested in Gibraltar British ones for political ends?
Not anymore, SUBRON 16 withdrew in the late 70s (I think) and relocated to Kings Bay. It coincided with a change of the US/Spanish treaty meaning no more nukes. Just the Destroyer Sqn, a Helo Sqn and an EOD section forward deployed now.
Pretty sure it is only Gib, Limassol, Souda and Toulon. I think Menzel may have taken nuke-boats also in the past. There may be more, but nothing jumps to mind.
Thanks NDG.
A spanish/us treaty doesn’t apply to Great Britain.
It was only a few years ago (2015) that the Spanish were allowing Russian warships and submarines to take on supplies and water at Ceuta – 18 miles from Gib – and crews were granted shore leave to enjoy the tax haven’s nightlife. This only stopped after NATO protested. Ceuta is often described as Spain’s Gibraltar and is just 18 miles across the water from the British Overseas Territory.
Good point.
The Spanish also have mellita on the morrocan coast as well
Mellila
Zero emissions, unlike those old patrol boats the Spanish coastguard use to harass traffic going in and out of the port.
The only known reactor to explode was chernobyl, and although it was a devastating event it was hardly a nuclear explosion. Nuclear reactors don’t explode they meltdown. Also water is a great moderator, so I don’t know what they’re so worried about. Bearing in mind the astute class has the most advanced small modular reactors in the world.
Vastly safer than a leaky diesel powered ship with a cargo of chemicals and a bilge space full of invade species. Silly Spaniards.