Would you support nuclear powered passenger/freight ships? In the interest of reducing our dependence on oil and cutting carbon emmisions, would you be in favor of having nuclear powered passenger and freight ships? Nuclear ships have worked well for the military, so it should work pretty well for civilians too, shouldn't it?
2007-10-14 08:00:42 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
They built a nuclear cargo ship in the '60's named SAVANNAH. It was not a commercial success.
2007-10-14 08:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by tom 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Having nuclear powered ships are not at all a new idea. The US Navy have been operating nuclear powered fleets of aircraft carriers and submarines for more than half a century already. The question is COST, would passengers be willing to pay higher fares? A standard passenger ship already costs hundreds of millions. A nuclear powered unit would cost twice as much. A specialized crew has to be trained for the nuclear ship, bringing cost even higher. Though it may save in fuel cost, maintenance cost would go up.
2016-05-22 12:05:59 · answer #2 · answered by mayra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple answer: YES. It makes sense to me. There are commercial electrical generation stations all over the country. Some within a couple miles of schools. No one's worried about that? These reactors would be much smaller and would sink if there was any problem and most commercial shipping is further from residential properties than commercial nuclear power plants. Again, it makes sense.
2007-10-16 01:38:35 · answer #3 · answered by clayton w 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cal45 and his asinine statement aside
Nuclear power is un-insurable. All non-military nuclear facilities in the US are exempt from insurance liability. They are so subsidized by the NRC and the Feds that they appear to be viable. The fact is, that if the Feds were not protecting them and providing the fuel at subsidized rates they could not afford to function. Over $7 Billion/year of your taxes are spent to subsidize and protect existing nuclear industries from liability. 60% - 90% of US civilian nuclear activities are federally subsidized. Shipping could not afford the liability or risk.
2007-10-15 04:06:26 · answer #4 · answered by cat38skip 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sure. But you would have to take some major security precautions to keep the bad guys from stealing the nuclear fuel and/or onboard reactors.
2007-10-14 08:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by Resident Heretic 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No thanks! I'm not interested in glowing in the dark. A person I knew served on the USS John C. Stennis (nuclear powered super aircraft carrier) and he told me that accidents were the norm, rather than the exception. Thanks for asking
2007-10-14 08:07:23 · answer #6 · answered by Kiffin # 1 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It would be to much of a public safety hazard
2007-10-14 08:09:35 · answer #7 · answered by sparky 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Never get pass the Liberals they want sails again?
2007-10-14 08:48:51 · answer #8 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Uneconomical and impractical. Not going to happen.
2007-10-14 16:50:49 · answer #9 · answered by Richard B 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋