Irish Sea fishing dangers exposed
A report into a serious accident involving a UK submarine and a fishing vessel in Manx waters has concluded the Royal Navy failed to follow guidelines - and endangered lives.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch today (13 Oct) published a comprehensive report into the snagging of a fishing vessel's nets by a sub off the Calf of Man in April 2015.
The Karen from Northern Ireland was dragged backwards at speed and only the ditching of trawl gear and a snapped rope prevented her being dragged underwater, with potential loss of life.
The report says the submarine's command team failed to recognise Karen as a fishing boat - and recommends the Royal Navy reviews its training and procedures.
The Celtic League has closely followed submarine activity in the Irish Sea since the 1970s and has welcomed the landmark report.
Mannin branch spokesman Bernard Moffatt says in the past, very little information about such accidents was released:
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