[ RadSafe ] US Nuclear sub crew faked inspection records

[Fred Dawson]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six Navy personnel on board the nuclear-powered
submarine USS Hampton have been punished for forging inspection records for
the cooling system of the ship's nuclear reactor, Navy officials said
Monday.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/22/sub.misconduct/index.html


The USS Hampton in an undated photograph.

 The misconduct was discovered on September 17 but was made public after
completion of an initial investigation.

One officer and five enlisted personnel received a "non-judicial punishment"
after other Navy personnel discovered their actions, Navy officials said.

The crew neither maintained inspection records nor conducted the required
inspection of the chemical levels associated with the cooling system, the
Navy officials said. The crew then went back and falsified existing records
to make it appear the work had been done, the officials added.

"There is not, and never was, any danger to the crew or the public," the
Navy said in a statement.

A fact-finding investigation is under way, and further action against Navy
crew members is possible, a navy official said.

In all, the $900 million vessel's crew is composed of 13 officers and 116
enlisted personnel.

It is not clear if the disciplined personnel were still on board the vessel.
The Hampton remains in port in San Diego

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