ML20216E667

Insp Rept 99990002/98-01 on 980126.No Violations or Deviations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Safeguards/Security

ML20216E667
Person / Time
Issue date:	02/24/1998
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:
Shared Package
ML20216E644	List: ML20216E639 ML20216E667
References
REF-QA-99990002-980224 99990002-98-01, 99990002-98-1, NUDOCS 9803180120
Download: ML20216E667 (5)

Text

U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II Docket No.: 99990002 License No.: 110-27 Report NO.: 99990002/98-01 Licensee: Edlow International Company Facility Name: Charleston Naval Weapons Station Location: Charleston South Carolina Date: January 26, 1998 Inspector: William J. Tobin. Senior Safeguards Inspector Approved by: Edward J. McAlpine. Chief Fuel Facilities Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Enclosure 9803180120 980224 REC 2 GA999 ENVEDIC 99990002 PDR

,. EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

Safeguards / Security e This shipment was inspected at the Point of Entry and randomly surve111ed by the NRC until reaching the Savannah River Site (SRS).

e Prior notification to the NRC and to the State of South Carolina was in accordance with the regulations.

e The licensee complied with NRC criteria relative to armed escorts, redundant communications capabilities, immobilization equipment and procedures, o The inspector noted that the shipment was preceded along the rail tracks by a CSX engine to assure the right-of-way and track integrity.

• The shipment was protected by the Department of Energy (DOE) armed security officers onsite at SRS while it was exterior to the DOE protected area. The expiration of the CSX engineer's work shift. and the unavailability of a relief crew, caused the stoppage of the train.

The licensee'will take measures to preclude recurrence of such delays,

Attachment:

List of Persons Contacted Inspection Procedures Used List of Acronyms

l'

• REPORT DETAILS

1. Physical Protection of Shipments of Irradiatea Fuel (IP 81310)

a. Inspection Scope The inspector reviewed the licensee's program. )erformance and procedures for adherence to it's Plan for the P1ysical Protection of Foreign Research Reactor Fuel in Transit, dated Seatember 3, 1996. This Plan implements the requirements of 10 CFs Part 73.37, titled, " Requirements for physical protection of irradiated reactor fuel in transit."

b. Observations and Findings By letter dated November 21, 1997, the licensee notified the NRC and the designated representative of the Governor of South Carolina of the impending shipment of irradiated fuel through the Charleston Naval Weapons Station to the SRS. This " Safeguards Information" document disclosed the schedule, description of the cargo, anticipated route and the security arrangements for shipping through the heavily populated area of Charleston S.C.

On January 23. the licensee notified the State of South Carolina and the NRC that the schedule had been advanced by 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />. This notification was by a facsimile message.

On January 25, 1998, a meeting was held at the Naval Station to coordinate the offloading of the vessel, radiological inspections performed by the DOE Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) staff, loading of the CSX railcars. and inspection by the Federal Railroad Administration.

On January 26. the fuel was off-loaded from the ship and placed aboard CSX railcars. The shipment was escorted by members of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department. An additional escort function was performed by a CSX engine which preceded the train.

Prior to departure, the inspector witnessed the successful tests of the redundant communication capabilities located in various portions of the train. Emergency and contingency procedures addressed such events as vehicle accidents, rerouting. hostage attempts and other a)propriate topics. These procedures were adequately known to tie escorts.

The inspector verified various locks and seals on the containers, the aosting of radiological warning labels and was advised by the DOE RAP ou)ervisor that the radiological readings were well within the allowdale limits for shipments.

The inspector witnessed the departure of the CSX railcars, communicated several times during the shipment with the South Carolina police on board the train relative to the location of the

2 shipment, and was present as the shipment completed the trip through Hampton and Barnwell Counties. The inspector witnessed the presence of law enforcement officials at several railroad-crossings and sidings to assist in the expeditious movement of the train.

The shipment left the Charleston Naval Station at approximately noon and arrived at the SRS at 6:30 p.m. The security . force of South Carolina officers was relieved by the DOE security force.

(armed guards equipped with radios and vehicles). The inspector completed his surveillance of the shipment at this time.

Within the DOE property of the SRS the shipment was sto) ped for the night because the CSX crew had been on duty for 12 lours, which is the maximum shift allowed, and arrangements had not been made for a relief crew. The train was nct inside the protective gates of the DOE facility. but was on the DOE property (approximately six miles from the DOE gates). The DOE security force was posted at the train until January 27 when another CSX crew took the railcars into the DOE protective area.

c. Conclusion The' shipment was conducted in compliance with NRC criteria.

Safeguards Information documentation was well marked and secured as appropriate,

2. Exit Meeting The Exit Meeting was held telephonically on February 2. 1998, with those so noted below in attendance. The inspector summarized the sco)e and findings of this inspection. The need for better planning of tie CSX operators work shift was discussed. The licensee concurred that unscheduled delays resulted in the CSX crew having to halt the shipment on' DOE ~ pro >erty, but not within the security area. The licensee agreed that had t1ese delays been experienced earlier another CSX crew could have met the train and completed the shipment. The licensee discussed a formal arrangement with the shipper regarding a relief crew and better communications to the corporate office to preclude such delays in the future.

I

ATTACHMENT

1. PERSONS CONTACTED.

Licensee Personnel

• F. Oshinowo Transportation Manager

~* N. Ravenscroft. Vice President Other Personnel P. Bruno U.S. Navy, Captain, Concord Naval Station California W. Clark, DOE. Project Manager (SRS)

R. Huskin,. DOE, RAP Supervisor (SRS)

P. Klimar, Federal Railroad Administration, Inspector R. MacLain, DOE, Transportation Supervisor (SRS) 1 C. Messick, DOE Transportation Coordinator (SRS) i S. Poelker, U.S.' Navy, Commander ,

H. Porter, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental '

Control (telephonically)

R. Rish U. S. Navy, Captain G. Vest. DOE, Security Supervisor (SRS) ,

B. Williams, Nuclear Assurance Corporation K. Yocum, DOE, Concord Naval Station. California '{

1 Additional individuals contacted included ship and harbor personnel. law enforcement officials. DOE emergency response authorities and U.S. Navy officers.

NRC Personnel

• D, Collins. Director. Division of Nuclear Materials Safety

• W. Tobin, Senior Safeguards Inspector.

• Denotes those in attendance at the telephonic Exit Meeting.

r

2. INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 81310 Inspection of Irradiated Fuel Shipments I

3. LIST OF-ACRONYMS USED DOE Department of Energy RAP Radiological Assistance Program i SRS- Savannan River Site I