As the world’s first commercial, nonstationary type of nuclear power
plant, the SAVANNAH’s design and construction have resulted in a vessel
with an unprecedented degree of safety. Basically, the safety
considerations concern two separate but closely inter-related factors:
(1) The hull and interior structure surpass the highest standards of
safety, both in the conventional marine sense and in the light of the
additional factors created by the installation of a nuclear propulsion
plant; and
(2) The nuclear propulsion system creates no more hazard to the crew and
passengers, and other ships in a busy port, than any modern conventional
steam propulsion system—actually, in the light of safety factors,
included because of its prototype nature, the N.S. SAVANNAH is as safe
as, and in some respects safer than, a steam-powered vessel that burns
coal or oil.
The basic difference in safety between a nuclear-powered ship and a
conventionally powered ship involves radioactivity which results from
the fission process. Provision has been made to control this
radioactivity on the SAVANNAH under all foreseeable conditions. This
control is accomplished through the following design and operational
features: