I believe that's in the regs... slow when within 500 yards. Personally, I
don't want to get even that close. We go the other way.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
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