§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the sinking of the FV Fay at 5 am on Thursday 6 July; if there were any British or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation submarines in the area at the time; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Fay was returning home from the Isle of Man after acting as escort boat for a charity event. Some two hours after sailing it was found that the vessel420W was flooding. A Mayday signal was sent before the boat had to be abandoned. A rescue operation was mounted involving aircraft, helicopters and lifeboats and all hands were picked up.
An investigation is being carried out. At this stage the cause of the sinking is not clear; it does not, however, appear that any other vessel was involved and, in particular, it has been established that no British or other NATO submarines were in the vicinity. The incident took place in waters that are too shallow for dived submarine operations.