Submarine spotted by bystanders around Belfast Lough - vessel is escorted by tugs into harbour
A submarine has been spotted in Belfast Lough.
It was spotted by a number of bystanders on the Carrickfergus side of the lough, being escorted towards the city by two tug boats.
It has subsequently been seen at the north-eastern side of Belfast docks, around Airport Road West.
This picture was taken in that location by someone who works in the area, and circulated by north Down DUP councillor Jennifer Gilmour.
A spokeswoman for Belfast Harbour Commissioners told the News Letter “we can confirm that there is a Dutch Navy submarine in Belfast Harbour, which is in port on R&R for the weekend”.
The Royal Netherlands Navy currently has three submarines, all belonging to the Walrus class, dating back to the early 1990s.
The vessel does not appear on the Vesselfinder.com website, which tracks the location of shipping traffic, and the Royal Navy said: “We do not routinely comment on UK or allied submarine operations or movements.”
A staff officer for the Dutch navy said “due to operational reasons I can’t give you any details on the numbers and name of the ship”.