Anatomy of a nuclear fuels transport ship

The nuclear fuel is shipped in two 104m-long, 16m-wide British ships, the Pacific Teal and the Pacific Pintail.

One carries the shipment. The other acts as an escort.

Both are armed against pirate attacks and terrorists. An armed force from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary is aboard.

The ships carry enough diesel to sail from France to Japan without calling into port, and they make no scheduled calls.