In a first-ever such accident, a British and a French nuclear submarine, both carrying nuke warheads, collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, but there was no loss of life.
The vote assumes significance as it could end Scotland's 307-year union with England and Wales as Great Britain -- and see it launch into the world as an independent nation of some 5.3 million people. Here's what you need to know about the landmark referendum.