The U.S. informed the CNMI, Guam, Japan, as well as the governments of Malaysia and Singapore that small traces of nontoxic radioactive materials may have seeped into their waters while the nuclear-powered submarine USS Houston made port calls on their areas between 2006 to this year.
“We have been informed about it. The governor received a note from Adm. [William] French [commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas] via fax. We expect them to do everything within their power to remedy the situation,” Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said.
Saipan wants to host more military ships for rest and recreation but the CNMI government expressed hope that environmental safety be observed as its economy depends on the tourism industry.
On Guam, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo expects a comprehensive report from the U.S. Department of Energy about the USS Houston case.
In a statement, Bordallo said she was told that the radioactive leak was traced on the ship’s defective valve.
“I was told that the valve leakage has occurred since 2006, which extended the number of locations which were potentially impacted. The governments of Malaysia and Republic of Singapore were also informed that the USS Houston made port calls in those countries during this period,” she said.
“I also want to further explore how this defective valve went unnoticed during previous maintenance or while the ship was in service,” she added.
The U.S. Navy acknowledged that USS Houston had troubles with radioactive leak early this month.
The ship is now being repaired in Hawaii.
