We have had initial reply from Ireland?s Department of Foreign Affairs to say they are looking at our request for IMO action over the regulation of submarine activity.
Ireland sponsored the initial resolution in 1987 after a series of Irish Sea incidents and the International Maritime Organisation adopted resolution IMO A599 (15).
Subsequently the resolutions was revisited as incidents continued in 1991 and beefed up to its current status IMO A709 (17).
It is to be hoped that Ireland will move on this. The United Kingdom as a submarine operating power is unlikely to ?push the boat out? (forgive the pun).
However it?s becoming increasingly obvious this is a growing problem once again. The incidents in recent years year involving submarrines off Western Scotland, Donegal and the Karen incident in the Irish Sea highlight this. More recently we had the snagging involving the Portuguese submarine Tridente.
Fishermen have a hard enough living to make without having to run the risk of playing tag with a much larger undersea craft travelling at anything up to 30 knots.
Related links:
Dail debate 1988
The academic work on the Law of the Sea at this link highlights Ireland’s prime role in both IMO A599 (15) and A709 (17)
Image: NRP Tridente and sister vessel
BERNARD MOFFATT
Public Relations Officer Mannin Branch
Issued by: The Mannin branch of the Celtic League.
18/10/16
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