Britain's hosts 2021 Submarine Race

This Thursday before Good Friday, after months of organizing effort by HM Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI, Hampshire County Council, Dorset County Council, the Royal Navy, and NATO it is possible to confirm the world’s first “International Submarine Racing” competition.

The course is 52 miles long with the start line at The Needles on the western end of the Isle of Wight and Portland Bill. The start and the finish line are between The Needles and Hurst Spit Point. Each submarine and there are twelve entries, will have an allotted start time to avoid the risk of underwater collisions. On their return from Portland Bill, the competitors will have to navigate their vessels between the Isle Of Wight and The Needles; a maneuver referred to by submariners as “threading”. The first submarine, HM Ambush from the Royal Navy. She is from the Astute Class of submarines and was commissioned in 2013.

Captain Ian Oliver Wight and Vice-Captain Simon Olent both say their crew are ready and geared up for this short test of seamanship. With a top speed, fully submerged, of 30 knots expect to complete the distance of the course, including completing the “threading” maneuver in just under two and a half hours. HM Ambush is the only Royal Navy submarine competing.

HM Ambush will be competing with submarines from America (three entries), Canada (one entry), France (one entry), Italy one entry), Germany (one entry), and Japan (one entry). The organizers have made provisional timing slots available for entries from the Russian and Chinese navies. They have sent invitations to them to attend but to date have not received any confirmation of attendance. Even without a Russian and Chinese contingent, this promises to be one of, if not the, largest assemblies of international submarines in one confined location in history.

Provision has been made for support vessels for each of the national contingents to be anchored offshore of the Isle of Wight, Bournemouth Bay, and Weymouth Bay. Due to the high security surrounding both the submarines and the support vessels some of the support vessels will be disguised as civilian cruise ships and can be seen clearly from the recommended viewing points.

Viewing is free but parking charges have had to maintain. The local authorities wanted to wave these charges but apologize for not having enough time or resources due to COVID to reprogram the parking ticket machines at all cliff top locations. and organizers suggest the best view areas are public car parks at Milford on Sea. Barton and Hengistbury Head for the start-finish. They ask to remind visitors to respect the car spaces allocated for disabled drivers so that everyone does have a fair chance to enjoy this rare spectacle. And for the turning point at Portland Bill, the public car park adjacent to The Admiralty Hotel & Restaurant. These good viewing points are shown on the map above.

This is a first for Britain. The weather forecast is promising sunny weather all day with a force three to four breeze from the southwest this promises to be a great day out for all the family. So the advice is to get to a convenient car park as soon as possible to ensure you have a good view of this historical event. Obviously social distancing restrictions due to COVID are still in force so please respect these rules.

Depending on the success of this 1st April event the authorities may decide to hold another similar competition next year with the aim of it rivaling the annual Bournemouth Airshow.

So, make it if you can for what promises to be a great day out to start the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Respect social distancing rules, don’t get sunstroke, take your litter home with and most importantly of all; stay safe.