World

Scallop boat capsized by Submarine?

by Paul Conneally | July 21, 2009 at 10:27 am

421 views | 22 Recommendations | 1 comment

UK Scallop fishermen and their families are today in mourning after the scallop dredger Aquila mysteriously capsized in fairly heavy seas yesterday killing three fishermen.

The area off the west coast of Scotland is known to be an exercise area for the UKs nuclear submarine fleet but the Royal Navy claim that there were no submarines in the area.

An investigation into the tragedy has been launched today but many fear that if there was a submarine involved the government or Royal Navy will not be quick in coming forward to confirm it.

Spectators at the British Open in Scotland were suprised when a nuclear submarine suddenly surfaced off the coast where the championships were held over the weekend.

An investigation started today into the deaths of three fishermen after a scallop dredger capsized off the west coast of Scotland.

The Cumbria-based Aquila overturned about two miles off Ardnamurchan point at 5.10pm yesterday. Police named one of the victims as skipper Tony Hayton, 45, of Maryport in Cumbria. The other two men, who had not been identified, were aged 45 and 52.

A fourth man who was rescued from the water was released from hospital today.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is conducting an inquiry into why the boat capsized in relatively good weather conditions. The stretch of water is used as a submarine exercise area, but the Royal Navy said that there were no operations in the area at the time.