The Russian Federation (RF) Decree #518 of May 28, 1998 "On Measures on Supporting Complex Decommissioning of Nuclear Submarines, Withdrawn from Service in the Russian Navy, and Ships of RF Ministry of Transport" entrusted RF Ministry for Atomic Energy (Minatom, presently Rosatom) with the task of drastic increase in the paces of Nuclear Submarine (NS) complex decommissioning, the heaviest burden falling to the main work executors - major shipyards supporting the whole cycle of works. NS defueling is undoubtedly the most important phase of nuclear vessel complex decommissioning: the operations are performed at opened reactor and strong hull and thus are a source of nuclear and radiation hazard. In most cases the shipyards concerned with complex decommissioning are situated within boundaries of settlements. This fact imposes special safety requirements to SNF unloading operations. At present defueling of taken-out-of-service NSs is performed using: 1. Floating Service Vessels (FSVs) -Fig. 1; 2. on-shore defueling facilities -Fig. 2; and 3. slip docks -Fig.3. Every defueling operation is performed using special equipment, which ensures nuclear and radiation safety of personnel. Safe defueling of NSs is ensured thanks to: 1. worked through defueling procedures and their strict observance; 2. use of verified, reliable and fully completed sets of reloading equipment; and 3. conducting of operations by well-qualified trained personnel.
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