The UK MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) has launched an investigation into a near-miss incident involving a nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine and a Stena Line-owned ferry in the Irish Sea, in November.
It is uncertain to date which of the 10 nuclear-powered submarines was involved in the incident, which occurred on 6 November 2018.
The ferry was the Stena Superfast VII, with a capacity of 1,300 passengers and 660 cars, which operates the route between Ireland’s Belfast and Scotland’s Cairnryan, local media report.
The submarine was reportedly operating at periscope depth, at that time.
A spokesman from UK MAIB confirmed to BBC that they were notified in November of a close-quarters incident between the Ro-Ro ferry Stena Superfast VII and a submarine operating at periscope depth.
We have carried out a preliminary assessment of the evidence in this case and the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has decided to open a safety investigation. The investigation is being conducted with the full co-operation of the Royal Navy. A report will be published when our investigation has concluded.
A spokesman from the Royal navy also confirmed the sighting of a Royal Navy submarine between Belfast and Stranraer on 6 November 2018 and said the Navy is cooperating with the MAIB investigation.
Meanwhile, a spokesman from Stena Line confirmed that ‘on Tuesday 6 November 2018, Stena Superfast VII and a submerged submarine came into close proximity during a scheduled crossing between Cairnryan and Belfast.‘
He added that there was no danger for crew, passengers or the vessel, noting that the company will also fully cooperate with MAIB on the investigation.
