U.S. destroyer’s radar injured Norwegian Coast Guard crew

OCTOBER 17, 2012 — Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported Tuesday that the U.S. Navy has now confirmed that the guided missile destroyer USS Farragut emitted radiation from its radar that injured crew members on board the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV Nordkapp while both were taking part in exercises in the Arctic in August.

“The American authorities have confirmed to us that they are responsible for what happened,” Arne Morten Grønningseter of the Norwegian military’s operational headquarters in Bodø, northern Norway, told NRK.

According to Scandinavian media reports, the radiation that hit the Norwegian vessel knocked out its instruments and several of the  crew members felt their skin become warm from radiation.

Coast Guard chief Lars Saunes told NRK at the time that “we sent medical personnel on board the KV Nordkapp, to examine the health of the crew. Several complained of headache and other symptoms after they were exposed to radiation from an American vessel.” The Nordkapp returned to Tromsø from the exercises off Finnmark, known as “Northern Eagle,” and some crew members were later admitted to hospital.

A report from a committee investigating the incident has now concluded that the crew was exposed to electromagnetic radiation by radar operating in the frequency band 3-4 GHZ.

Initially, the U.S. Navy had said that the Farragut was equipped with a radar system that shuts itself down when other vessels are nearby. However the Navy launched an investigation into the incident.

“I’m quite sure they  wanted to write a thorough report of the incident and therefore haven’t come out with their information before now,” Mr. Grønningseter told NRK. “The information now revealed is in line with our observations.”