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In the North Channel a ferry carrying hundreds of passengers narrowly avoided smashing into a British nuclear-powered submarine killing many and sparking a maritime disaster.

A ferry officer, reports BelfastLive, spotted the nuke sub's periscope at the last minute and took action to avoid the collision in the Irish Sea two years ago, an investigation has discovered.

The near-disaster happened in 2018 but the results of a two year probe into what could have been the worst sea disaster to hit the UK in many years was released only last night.

The ferry usually operates between Northern Ireland and Scotland, carrying up to 1300 passengers and 660 cars between Belfast and Cairnyan.

The submarine was on patrol having recently left its base at Faslane, in Scotland.

The crew of the partially submerged Royal Navy nuclear submarine had underestimated the speed of the Stena Superfast V11 vessel.

They had thought they were 1,000 yards from the oncoming ferry and in trying to avoid it, turned towards it. The investigation discovered they were only 250 yards from it.

For further reading into the incident click here.

Published in Ferry

About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.