Capt. JG wrote:

I believe you should hail them and state your intentions. Otherwise, they'll
hail you (with bullets).



At our marina there is a big poster saying that the
exclusion zone around military vessels is 500 yards.

There are a couple of "interesting" spots along the ICW such
as the area around Norfolk Naval Base, the main ICW channel
goes right along the piers and there is military/gov't
activity on both sides. This part of the channel is
regularly patrolled by armed small boats and helicopters.

Then there is the Onslow Beach area that is used by both
Navy and Marines for exercises, such as amphib exercises and
artillery training. We've been putt-putting down the canal
through here and seen a bunch of amphibs rumble out of the
woods and into the water, across the canal and up onto land
on the other side. Interesting to watch but we stopped
immediately and waited until they'd cleared the area.
Unfortunately they weren't listening to VHF. The artillery
guys do broadcast warnings on VHF plus there is a large sign
with flashing yellow lights.

Then there is the military depot near Wilmington. The ICW
doesn't go past it, but the ICW channel does merge with the
Cape Fear river sea channel right at the spot where the
depot shipping channel splits off into their basin. A lot of
people follow the wrong markers and end up being escorted
out of the basin by security boats with .50cals aimed at
them.... these guys are *very* touchy when a big ship is
loading ammo or anything sensitive for overseas missions.

It has occasionally happened that we sail through an
exercise operation with several ships, usually we get a few
aircraft flying over to check us out. The Navy is very good
about radio communications... wonder why...

Fresh Breezes- Doug King