PORT HADLOCK — Naval Magazine Indian Island’s commanding officer says there is little risk to Jefferson County communities now that plans have been made to allow nuclear-powered Trident submarines armed with torpedoes and missiles to dock at the site east of Port Townsend.
Only non-nuclear, conventional weapons will be on- and off-loaded, Capt. Jonathan Kurtz told the Port Hadlock/Tri-Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
“The risk of anything happening is so minimal, but the fallout is so great,” he said.
“The Department of Defense’s policy is extremely conservative.
“Compliance with explosives safety is paramount.”
Addressing about 30 people Wednesday at the luncheon meeting at the Inn at Port Hadlock, Kurtz said that submarines will soon dock at the Indian Island wharf because Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, across Hood Canal from the Coyle peninsula, is nearing its capacity.
“We have the capability and we can best comply with the ordnance, so the people out at Bangor don’t have to go too far to send the submarines,” Kurtz said.
It’s not yet known how many submarines will dock at Indian Island or how frequently they will cruise through Port Townsend Bay, said Kurtz.
But he also said that even if he did know, he could not reveal that information.
To accommodate submarines, some construction at Indian Island will take place.
Generators and concrete shore power mounds must be installed to supply power to the docked submarines.
Kurtz said there is a $1.5 million limit for unspecified military construction, which is not expected to last long.
Construction could begin as early as this month and could be complete by February, he said.
While docked, the submarines’ munitions will be loaded and unloaded and minor, superficial maintenance will be performed if needed.