June 15 1998

Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited

Ever since one of the Rokkasho Reprocessing Facility sea discharge pipe marker buoys was found adrift last June, JNFL has been been working to develop a buoy anchoring system that would prevent a recurrence of the problem. Now, a satisfactory system has been devised, and buoy reinstallation work will move ahead beginning on 16 June this year. The lower portion of the buoy chains will be encased in a rubber sleeve to prevent the chains from dragging on the seabed and becoming trapped beneath the concrete anchor. The shape of the concrete anchor will also be changed from a rectangular parallelepiped to a cone to reduce friction between the anchor and chain. Reinstallation is expected to take four days.

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