James Leonard
Ceist:25 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the new British Navy safety measures put in place to stop the sinking of Irish trawlers by submarines in the Irish Sea. [6629/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - British Navy Safety Measures.
In the last 15 years there have been three reported incidents involving submarines and Irish registered fishing vessels. Only one of these incidents involved a sinking. The last reported incident was in 1989. Nevertheless, this matter is of concern and I am keeping it under close review.
I welcome the measures put in place by the British Navy to prevent damage to fishing vessels or their gear. These measures consist of a service known as "SUBFACTS" and a code of practice for submarine commanders.
"SUBFACTS" notifies fishing vessels and other vessels of planned or known submarine activity in a specified delineated area. "SUBFACTS" covers two main sea areas, the West Coast of Scotland and South West Coast of England. British Telecommunications Coast Radio Stations broadcast "SUBFACTS" twice daily on MF and VHF. The Maine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Clyde broadcasts "SUBFACTS" six times daily. A "Fisherman's HOTLINE" telephone service is also provided.
The code of practice for submarine commanders states that submarines travelling on the surface must act strictly in accordance with the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
Submarines travelling at periscope depth must keep at least 1,500 yards away from a fishing vessel unless the fishing vessel's permission to go closer has been obtained. Submarines travelling either on the surface or at periscope depth must maintain a constant radio listening watch on VHF Channel 16, the emergency channel.
Under international law, submarines travelling on the surface have the right of innocent passage through territorial waters. They may pass freely through international waters whether on the surface or submerged.
While there have been no reported incidents involving submarines and Irish registered fishing boats since 1989, I am concerned that there may be a gap in the submarine reporting measures in the Irish Sea. While the level of submarine activity in the Irish Sea may be less than that on the West Coast of Scotland or the South West Coast of England, there may be scope for improving the reporting measures. This is something which I intend to pursue with the British authorities.
(Wexford): I welcome the procedures of the British Navy but they do not address the root problem of submarines travelling under the surface. There have been many accidents both in Ireland and Scotland, including a loss of life in Scotland. Will the Minister accept that the British Navy shows no regard for the safety of Irish fishermen and the Irish fleet generally? Would he also accept that now that the Cold War is over and there are major political changes in the Eastern Bloc there is no need for secrecy or for underwater movement between Kilmore Quay and the North Channel, and that submarines should travel over the water if they need to travel?
It is probably an exaggeration to say, in the way the Deputy did, that the British Navy does not care. There have been no incidents in the past six years. There is a gap in the reporting measures in that the Irish Sea does not have the same radio "SUBFACTS" system that exists on the Scottish coast and on the south-west coast of England, and I intend to take that up with the British Navy.
As to whether submarines should, as a matter of course, travel only on the surface, that is a different issue. I presume some of their training requires them to operate under water — that is what a submarine does. I intend to take up with the British Navy the possibility of extending their surveillance. To put the Deputy's mind slightly at rest, in at least one of the incidents that occurred, the one involving the trawler that was pulled backwards, nobody was ever brought to account and there was speculation about whether it was a NATO, US or British submarine. My understanding now is that in the aftermath of the end of the Cold War neither US nor NATO submarines other than British now operate out of British ports so the amount of submarine activity is substantially reduced anyway.
(Wexford): A number of trawler men have been advised to put electronic equipment on board to detect submarines in an area and that it is very expensive. Has the Minister any plans to grant-aid the purchasing of this equipment?
Is this equipment that they would not otherwise require which is only for the purpose of detecting submarines?
(Wexford): Yes.
I was not aware of that.
(Wexford): Perhaps the Minister would have it investigated.
If people have to install expensive equipment specifically for that purpose, that is a fair question to ask. I will look into it.