WAR GAMES UP THE SPOUT
Navy forced into massive operation to remove whales blocking nuclear base before Nato countries gather for military exercise this weekend
A MAJOR nuclear sub exercise hangs in the balance because of a pod of whales.
The whales are blocking Faslane base and the Navy needs to coax them into open waters before the Joint Warrior war game this weekend.
ROYAL Navy bosses have ordered a massive operation to clear a pod d of whales blocking the e UK’s nuclear base.
A family of northern bottlenose whales have beenn spotted in the Gareloch at the Faslane Naval Base, near Helensburgh, which houses the UK’s trident nuclear subs.bs.
The location of the whales has sparked a red alert for the Navy, with a major operation to get the whales back into open water set to take place today.
The move comes in advance of a major war game – Exercise Joint Warrior – due to take place off the west coast of Scotland this weekend involving the Faslane fleet and the navies of 11 other Nato countries.
The disorientated whales, hundreds of miles from their normal homes, have been much closer to the shore than is normal for the species and they have shown signs of distress, including weight loss.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue group has drawn up a detailed rescue plan with the Royal Navy which will see the whales ushered out to open sea.
Local mariners have been contacted about the rescue mission and boats that were due to be visiting HMNB Clyde at Faslane have been diverted in the meantime.
A Faslane spokesman said: “We are aware of the presence of northern bottlenose whales in the Gareloch and are in contact with British Divers Marine Life Rescue to see if we can provide assistance.
“The Royal Navy takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and continues to work with the relevant UK authorities to ensure all practical measures required to reduce environmental risk and comply with legislation is la ti on are taken.
“A necessary series of safety checks is observed and an environmental risk assessment is carried out before any underwater task is undertaken byy MOD, to minimise any potential risk to marine life.”
The spokesman added that navalal vessels taking part in the huge Exercise Joint Warrior event would be warned about the whales and the rescue attempt.
The spokesman said: “Participants will be made aware of the presence of the whales and the latest sightings we might have for them. “All participants are aware that environmental protection remains a priority for the exercise and we are prepared to amend the programme if these whales remain in an a typical situation.”
One speedboat owner, whose boat is berthed at the James Watt Dock Marina in Greenock, said: “The coastguard informed us that somsome parts of the river will be closed in Greenock and also that we are looking at some of our boats helping to close the river off while they try to remove the Whales out to sea.
“There is a large number of boats coming out to help and the Coastguard has told us that they will have a large presence on water and in land as well as the police watching for the whales.”
Peel Ports, which runs Clydeport in Glasgow and controls shipping pathways, put a notice to all mariners on its site advising of the whale crisis after spottings in various locations within the Firth of Clyde and adjoining sea lochs.
It states: “A plan has been developed to encourage them out of the area and into deeper water.
“The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) group will attempt to move the pod tomorrow.
“There will be approximately six vessels involved in the process. Navigation warnings are expected to be issued by the Coastguard.
“Vessels operating in the area are requested to keep clear of the operation and not impede their progress, navigating the operation at slow speed and with particular caution.”
The MOD does not comment on the location or movements of its nuclear fleet of hunter killer submarines.
The Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport, eight miles from Faslane, is responsible for the storage, processing, maintenance and issue of key elements of the UK’s Trident nuclear missile system.