The N.S. SAVANNAH
Nuclear Reactor Decommissioning Project

The Nuclear Ship SAVANNAH (NSS) is the world’s first nuclear-powered commercial ship.  Designated a National Historic Landmark of the United States, the NSS operated from 1962 to 1970 as the centerpiece of President Eisenhower’s visionary “Atoms for Peace” program – whose signature goal was to demonstrate to the world the potential for peaceful use of atomic power.

After successfully completing all of its program objectives, the NSS was removed from service, defueled and partially decommissioned between 1971 and 1975.  After service as a museum ship near Charleston, South Carolina, the NSS was returned to the Maritime Administration in 1994 and placed in the agency's James River Reserve Fleet in Newport News, Virginia, for long-term retention.

N.S. SAVANNAH at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, July 4, 2007
SAVANNAH was moved to BAE Systems from Pier 23, Newport News on May 31, 2007.
Photo Credit - MARAD

In early 2002 the Maritime Administration decided to proceed with full decommissioning of the ship’s remaining nuclear components, and termination of its Nuclear Regulatory Commission-issued facility license.  After a series of planning studies and radiological scoping surveys were completed, the NSS was removed from the reserve fleet in August 2006 to begin physical preparations for the future decommissioning activities.  MARAD is currently revisiting the decommissioning schedule and approach in order to most efficiently accomplish these activities in the current fiscal environment.  Look for periodic updates to the schedule and planned activities on this website.