Last I heard, the wind was blowing north. Am I incorrect in thinking the USS Reagan wouldn’t have located north of the disaster zone?
If it was South of the nuclear reactors, how could that radiation have wafted over 100 miles in it’s direction?
This sounds a little fishy.
The US Seventh Fleet Facebook page says that Reagan was operating 100 miles northeast of the nuke plants when the exposure took place.
*
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From USS Ronald Reagan Commanding Officer:
Family & Friends of USS Ronald Reagan:
...
I want to take this opportunity to personally assure you that first
and foremost all personnel aboard the USS Ronald Reagan are safe and
healthy.
During our mission to assist our close allies of Japan, we were
operating near the radioactive plume from Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear
Power Plant. As you may have already heard, radioactivity was detected
on 17 personnel from our ship, however, we promptly took the proper
precautions and the radioactivity was easily removed by using soap and
water. The levels that were detected were very low levels.
To put this into perspective, the maximum radiation dose received was
equal to the amount of natural background radiation one would receive in
one month from sources such as rocks, soil and the sun.
Ronald Reagan has since repositioned away from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi
Nuclear Power Plant.
As a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, we have extensive technical
expertise onboard to properly monitor such types of risks, and if
necessary, rapidly resolve the situation.
We have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure that everyone is
safe. We have closely monitored spaces, evaluated everyone who has flown
or worked on the flight deck and cleaned the aircraft.
I have not seen any levels of radiation or contamination that would
cause me to have any significant concerns at all.
As we continue to assist Japan in this terrible catastrophe, our
Sailor’s-and your loved ones’-safety will remain at the top of my
priority list.
Capt. Thom Burke
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28 minutes ago
I’m with you. Part of emergency planning for this type of situation is knowing which way the plume will be or is going. First thing to do is get out of the way, not sail directly into it’s path.
Not to single you out, because you raise a good point - but to everyone asking the question about the “wind direction”....just remember that ships move at a slow rate of speed and winds don’t typically remain the same direction for more than 24-48 hrs.