There appears to be a substantial Naval (NATO) exercise in the Irish Sea at present slightly north of the Irish territorial sea area between Co Louth and the South of the Isle of Man.
The vessels can be tracked on Marine Traffic AIS site (Dutch, US, Canadian, British and French) and consist of Frigates Destroyers and some support vessels.
From the composition it’s an anti submarine exercise so it’s the naval vessels we can’t see (submarines) which will pose any hazard. The area is a submarine exercise area and the site of several snagging incidents over the years and one sinking – the Irish vessels Sheralga sunk by HMS Porpoise. The Royal Navy crew abandoned the Sheralga fishermen in the water fortunately another vessel rescued them.
Irish Sea fishing vessels will need to watch their nets as just north of the area a N Irish vessel was snagged a few years ago – it was several months before the RN held their hands up to that incident!
Image: One of the support vessel taking part. The USNS Medgar Evers part of Military Sealift Command. The vessel is named after murdered civil rights activist Medgar Evers. It is a ‘Lewis and Clark’ Class support vessel capable or replenishment of dry cargo at sea.
Bernard Moffatt
pp Celtic League Military Monitoring
02/10/17
