Other accidents, such as grounding, fire and explosion, and sinking also
were considered in the design and construction of the N.S. SAVANNAH.
Grounding is very similar to collision in its effects, except that the
damage is ordinarily more localized. The heavy reactor and containment
foundations in the inner-bottom provide adequate protection to the
reactor system.
The SAVANNAH, as a passenger ship, is prohibited by Coast Guard
regulation from carrying dangerous and explosive cargo in quantity.
The ship’s fire-protection and fire-fighting systems are fully adequate.
In case of sinking, provision has been made to allow for automatic
flooding of the containment shell of the reactor to prevent its collapse
in deep waters. The flooding valves are designed to close upon pressure
equalization so that containment integrity will be maintained even after
sinking. Salvage connections have been installed to allow containment
purging or filling with concrete in case of sinking in shallow water
where recovery or immobilization of the reactor plant seems advisable.
Besides the very latest in navigation and communication equipment,
including true motion radar, the ship is equipped with antiroll
stabilizers. Located outside the hull amidships, the stabilizers are
operated hydraulically by a gyro system capable of sensing sea
conditions and providing counter-forces to reduce the roll. Each
stabilizing fin has a lift of approximately 70 tons at 20 knots speed.