The following was received via email from the State of Louisiana:
On 04/24/2019, Weeks Marine, Inc. was performing their routine operations with their licensed device. During their dredging operations, work ceased and the gauge shutter would not close when not in operation. The gauge shutter would not close due to dirt and grime residue in the shutter mechanism. Weeks Marine, Inc. called a service contractor, Applied Health Physics, to evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action to correct the problem (clean and lubricate).
The sources and device with the stuck open shutter will remain installed on the process until the repairs are made. This is not a radiation exposure hazard and does not pose a health and safety situation for the Weeks Marine, Inc. employees or the general public.
The density/level gauge is a Berthold Model 7400D series device/source holder, loaded with an approximately 1500 mCi Cs-137 source, s/n 372-1-85. Initial activity was 3000 mCi in 1985 [manufacture] date.
This event is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as required by Regulatory Requirement 10 CFR Part 30.50(b)(2) and LAC 33:XV 340.B.
Louisiana Event Report ID No.: LA-190006
- * * UPDATE AT 0933 EDT ON 4/26/2019 FROM JOSEPH NOBLE TO JEFF HERRERA * * *
The following update was received from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality via email:
[On] 04/25/2019, at [1440 CDT] Weeks Marine reported that Applied Technical Services had completed the maintenance on this fixed density gauge and that Hopper Dredge # 456 is back in operation. This event is considered completed and closed.
Notified the R4DO (Young) and
NMSS (via email).