A SEA safety campaigner has warned Donegal fishermen they could be in danger due to the start of exercises by NATO which begin next week.
Bernard Moffatt of the Isle of Man based Celtic League said the military manoeuvres at sea put the lives of Donegal fishermen at risk.
“Fisherman in the Irish Sea, off the West of Scotland and North Donegal need to watch their nets and keep their heads down in the next few weeks,” warned Mr Moffatt.
The spring ‘JOINT WARRIOR’ exercise staged each year (Spring and Autumn) by NATO gets underway from next Monday and will include submarine activity, live firing and mine warfare training.
Mr Moffatt said today: “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 British Ministry of Defence insists there is no threat to fishing vessels but there have been a number of incidents and sinkings over the years blamed on submarines.
A spokesman 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.”
Mr Moffatt insisted: “However 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, was involved.
“Submarines have also not maintained regulation ‘separation’ distances and several incidents have been reported in recent years off Donegal where maritime fishing vessels had to take evasive action to avoid collision with submarines in surface transit including one last year.
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 here:
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/clyde/jw/subfacts
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