Fisherman in the Irish Sea, off the West of Scotland and North Donegal need to keep a very safe watch over the next few weeks as submarines will again be patrolling the area.
Bernard Moffat of the Celtic League, said: “The spring ‘JOINT WARRIOR’ NATO exercise staged each year (Spring and Autumn) gets underway from the 11th of April and will include submarine activity, live firing and mine warfare training.
Between 30-40 warships and submarines from various NATO countries will be involved in addition to 60 -70 aircraft including maritime patrol aircraft from the US, Canada, France and other NATO countries.
The MOD said: “Submarines on the surface will act strictly in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Submarines at periscope depth will not close to less than 1500 yards from a fishing vessel unless express agreement has been obtained. Submarines on the surface and at periscope depth will maintain a constant radio listening watch on VHF Ch 16.”
One County Down skipper explained to Down News: “We will again have to be on our toes with this new naval exercise. When a submarine catches your net, you only get seconds to respond before you are pulled under. Crews certainly needs to be using their lifebelts and floatation suits all of the time and observing full safety precautions and procedures. There certainly needs to be someone on watch all of the time. This job is dangerous enough without submarines causing an extra threat.”
Bernard Moffat added: “Things don’t always go to plan as was evidenced when the Ardglass MFV Karen was snagged by a submarine off the Isle of Man in April last year. Reports blaming the Russians (whose subs do shadow these exercises) were subsequently proven false and the MOD admitted that a Royal Navy vessel (now thought to be an Astute class submarine, but there were counter-rumours that it was in fact a Turkish submarine that snagged the Karen).
“Submarines have also not maintained regulation ‘separation’ distances and several incidents have been reported in recent years off Donegal where MFVs had to take evasive action to avoid collision with submarines in surface transit including one last year (see link below);
“The MOD says they will be broadcasting daily SUNFACTS/GUNFACTS via Clyde Belfast and Stornaway Coastguard”.
Clyde at 8:10 and 20:10
Belfast at 7:10 and 19:10
Stornaway at 7:10 and 19:10
More detail about frequencies etc can be found at:
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/clyde/jw/subfact
Related links:
http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/fishing/item/30000-donegal-crab-boat-reports-near-miss-with-submarine
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The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries including our own Mannin branch. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues.
