Following the incident in the Irish Sea 12-milies off the County Down coast when the Karen, a 60-foot Ardglass prawn trawler was dragged backwards by a submarine, here has been a political outcry with local representatives demanding justice and opennesss, and a speedy inquiry to establish the facts of what happened.
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The buckled gallows support follwing the incident when a submarine pulled the Karen in reverse.[/caption]
Four fishermen were in danger of losing their lives and were saved when one of of the steel ropes attached to the net that snagged the submarine snapped. Their vessel was dragged backwards violently for over five seconds at ten knots.
This incident could have easily have ended in tragedy. The mysterious submarine did not surface as agreed by protocols between the Royal Navy and fishing industry representatives twenty years ago. This begs the question of the nationality of the submarine. Was it Russian? As yet the MOD are being tight-lipped about the incident.
Ritchie Calls For Immediate Investigation
SDLP South Down Westminster Candidate Margaret Ritchie has called for an immediate investigation into the fishing incident which caused an Ardglass trawler and her crew to be dragged backwards by a submarine.
She said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with skipper Paul Murphy and his crew who will understandably be deeply shaken today.
“It must have been terrifying for those on board the Ardglass trawler when they realised their ship was being dragged along the water by a submarine. Their quick reaction to release the net has undoubtedly prevented an even greater tragedy from happening.
“It is now vital that the Marine Accident Investigations Branch launches an immediate inquiry alongside the Maritime and Coastguard agency into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Significant damage has been sustained to the trawler and that needs to be put right.
“The MOD has so far refused to comment on submarine activity but given that there is currently a major NATO operation involving warships between Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, it’s clear that there is enhanced danger for fishermen.
“The truth of this matter needs to be discovered and those involved properly compensated for the damage done.”
Hazzard Says Answers Must be Found
Sinn Féín MLA Chris Hazzard has demanded answers following a near fatal incident involving a local trawler and a submarine 15 miles off the coast of Ardglass.
The South Down MLA said it was “totally unacceptable” that local lives have been put in such jeopardy and he has now brought the issue to the attention of the Fisheries Minister Michelle O’Neill and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Mr Hazzard said: “One of our local trawlers, the Karen, was towed backwards at a speed of 10 knots as trawl wires and fishing gear was smashed to pieces.
“If it wasn’t for the quick actions of the skipper and his crew to release the winch to avoid sinking, we surely would have been dealing with fatalities here in Ardglass this evening.”
Mr Hazzard indicated that In recent weeks NATO submarines have been involved in an increasing number of training exercise in the Irish Sea – indeed only 4 weeks ago a Scottish trawler was involved in a similar near fatal incident.
He added: “The fact that this submarine didn’t even surface to make sure the fishermen were safe has left a very bitter taste in the mouth with fishermen in County Down – indeed when you consider our local fleet are trapped between the Isle of Man Waters and the Cod Recovery Plan to earn a living, it is totally unacceptable that a submarine would show such contempt for fellow maritime workers.
“The skipper and his crew on the Karen, and indeed all of the local fleet, deserve to know the truth about what happened here today. Whether this is a British vessel attached to the hugely controversial Trident System or a NATO submarine in training, or another nationality, our local fishermen deserve justice.”
Previous related articles:
http://www.downnews.co.uk/ardglass-trawler-almost-pulled-under-by-a-submarine/
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The Karen limps back to port in Ardglass lucky to be afloat after netting a submarine.[/caption]]]>
