Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Little h
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Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Nuclear-powered submarine in near-miss with Stena ferry in Irish Sea
Royal Navy submarine nearly hit the Belfast-Stranraer ferry while at ‘periscope depth’
Mon, Jan 21, 2019

A spokesman for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said: “In November, we were notified of a close-quarters incident between the ro-ro [roll-on/roll-off] 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 navy spokesman said: “We can confirm the sighting of a Royal Navy submarine between Belfast and Stranraer on November 6th, 2018. We are co-operating with the MAIB’s investigation.”

A spokesman for Stena said: “Stena Line can confirm that on Tuesday November 6th, 2018, Stena Superfast VII and a submerged submarine came into close proximity during a scheduled crossing between Cairnryan and Belfast.

“At no stage were the vessel, passengers or crew in any danger. The incident is now under investigation by the MAIB and we will of course co-operate fully in this.” – Press Association

Source; The Irish Times where the full article can be read.

One wonders just how this will play out; and whether 'nearly hit' is a valid description of the event.
Little h
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ivorthediver
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Quite so Harry , I'm sure someone changed their under ware .

Any further news or evidence of this report "surfaced" yet please ;)
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Little h
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Take a look at these Ivor; the 'incident' is reported as follows in the MAIB site:-

Corporate report
Marine Accident Investigation Branch: current investigations

Updated 27 March 2019

1. Current investigations
Vessel’s name (IMO/PLN)
Stena Superfast VII (9198941) /Royal Navy submarine

Accident/incident type
Close quarters incident between a ro-ro ferry and a submerged submarine in the Irish Sea.

Date of incident
06/11/18

*Status of investigation
Under investigation. Note: the decision to start an investigation was declared on 21/01/2019.

------------------------------------

2. *Status of investigation

Go to the MAIB finder to search for published reports and bulletins.

935 Reports covered in 19 pages


------------------------------------

I'll let you take a stroll through those 935 reports at your leisure - but I think that the Section 1. entry would have a Prelim Report reference if it was that far into the proceedings.

Looking at the content of a selection of those reports - and having posted quite a few threads on a variety of Marine Accident Investigations in the WNSF - I doubt this 'near miss/sighting' is high up the list of Investigations.
Little h
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ivorthediver
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Well Harry I took your advice and Trawled [ intentional pun] through the reports based on the incident and found no reference to it However I did find a similar event that occurred on 15/4/2016 :-

Collision between stern trawler " Karen" East of Ardglass N Ireland.and a Submarine :?: resulting in the trawler being dragged backwards and semi submerged before the trawl warps snapped and gave way, the submarine taken no steps to either render assistance or surface .

The alleged incident was deemed to be the result of the Submarine's commander not planning his course and in the exercise of his voyage failed to make adequate avoidance of the craft and or misidentified it as a merchant vessel , always assuming the craft had its AIS [aid to situational awareness system] switched on and operational .

Apparently the Royal Navy work to a code of practice to avoid this type of incident following the sinking of the trawler " Antares "in 1990.

The investigation concluded that this code of practice was not observed by the Commander of the submarine which caused this incident .
[always assuming it was one of our submarines of course :? ]
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
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Little h
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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ivorthediver wrote: Fri Apr 12, 2019 5:03 pm Well Harry I took your advice and Trawled [ intentional pun] through the reports based on the incident and found no reference to it However I did find a similar event that occurred on 15/4/2016 :-

Collision between stern trawler " Karen" East of Ardglass N Ireland.and a Submarine :?: resulting in the trawler being dragged backwards and semi submerged before the trawl warps snapped and gave way, the submarine taken no steps to either render assistance or surface .

Apparently the Royal Navy work to a code of practice to avoid this type of incident following the sinking of the trawler " Antares "in 1990.
Ivor, The MAIB report to which you refer, was one of a number that I posted (and was debated) on the WNSF.

Report on the investigation of the collision between the stern trawler Karen (B317) and a dived Royal Navy submarine in the Irish Sea on 15 April 2015 so; for other members here is a link SERIOUS MARINE CASUALTY REPORT NO 20/2016 OCTOBER 2016

and

The Royal Navy Code of Practice for Fishing Vessel Avoidance dated 5 June 2002
Little h
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ivorthediver
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Thank you Harry, for a very interesting and sobering document , illustrating a series of events that we would not normally be privy to in that it would not be common knowledge to us

As ever, your nose to the wheel reveals so much more to us lesser mortals who are unaware of these drama's and their collective investigations to reveal problems at sea , as ever many thanks
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Little h
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Thread update!! - seemingly still under investigation in December last year (see excerpts below relating to the issue)

Corporate report
Marine Accident Investigation Branch: current investigations

Updated 9 December 2019


1. Current investigations

Vessel’s name (IMO/PLN) - Stena Superfast VII (9198941) /Royal Navy submarine

Accident/incident type - Close quarters incident between a ro-ro ferry and a submerged submarine in the Irish Sea.

Date of incident - 06/11/18

*Status of investigation - Under investigation. Note: the decision to start an investigation was declared on 21/01/2019.


2. *Status of investigation

Preliminary assessment - this means further details are being obtained to establish whether or not further investigation is warranted.

Under investigation - this means an investigation is being carried out, which will lead to a published report.

Consultation stage - when an investigation is largely complete a draft copy of the report is sent to interested parties for comment.

Go to the MAIB finder to search for published reports and bulletins.
Little h
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ivorthediver
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Any update on this yet please Harry , I appreciate your busy mate , but if you get a chance and you feel inclined I and others would be grateful for your expertise pal . :oops:
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
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Little h
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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Previous UPDATE was dated 9th December and my post was dated 30 Jan 2020

The following UPDATE is dated 19th Feb 2020:-

Corporate report
Marine Accident Investigation Branch: current investigations

Updated 19 February 2020
1. Current investigations

Vessel’s name (IMO/PLN) - Stena Superfast VII (9198941) /Royal Navy submarine

Accident/incident type - Close quarters incident between a ro-ro ferry and a submerged submarine in the Irish Sea.

Date of incident - 06/11/18

*Status of investigation - Under investigation. Note: the decision to start an investigation was declared on 21/01/2019.


Source www.gov.uk
--------------------------------------------------------

So in summary; there is no further info in the Feb 2020 UPDATE
Little h
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ivorthediver
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Re: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation opened

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ok Harry , very grateful to you for investigating the facts , and giving us a heads up , when your time is at a premium ......still chuckling at the picture of you and you're Enamelled mug on a lanyard round your waist :lol:
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