Sailing The Rip into Port Philip Victoria

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by GILow

Well, you are in trouble if they hit you, that's for sure.


But seriously, WTF are they doing? I knew there was some kind of Navy base there but I cannot find any reference to an exclusion zone on Google. Maybe there is something on my charts but I don't have them at the office.


Regardless, there's simply no way they should be firing with someone that close, even if you are in the wrong place they have a responsibility to look first.

My fault. It's marked on the chart. Just doesn't tell you what to do about it. And there was a radio broadcast, but I missed that because I don't have a speaker on deck. Need to get one.

They were firing over our heads so I assume someone thought it ok, though somone must have told them to stop too. It will be interesting to see if I hear anything more about it. They have just announced there about to resume firing.

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by GILow

But seriously, WTF are they doing? I knew there was some kind of Navy base there but I cannot find any reference to an exclusion zone on Google. Maybe there is something on my charts but I don't have them at the office.

West Head Gunnery Range.


An Aus Navy thingie.


I remember Notices to Mariners about gunnery exercises. I assume artillery, not rifle fire.

[Rustic Charm]

We are well clear now. Having a laugh about it. I can just imagine some young whipper snippers thinking it funny to give a yacht a scare and a supervisor realising what there doing " WTF, we never shoot at the civilians doh"

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

I can just imagine some young whipper snippers thinking it funny to give a yacht a scare

Snippers or Snipers?

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

West Head Gunnery Range.


An Aus Navy thingie.


I remember Notices to Mariners about gunnery exercises. I assume artillery, not rifle fire.

Yep, plenty of reference to the range on Google, I even visited it once, but strangely, I cannot find a map showing the exclusion area.

Still, pack of twits for doing what they did. Regardless of R.C's mistake, there is no excuse for that sort of stupidity.

[Rustic Charm]

Hmmm, Melbourne radio wanting to know my official call sign

I thought they were done away with years ago. Sounded a bit silly saying I don't have one we just go by Rustic Charm.

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Hmmm, Melbourne radio wanting to know my official call sign

I thought they were done away with years ago. Sounded a bit silly saying I don't have one we just go by Rustic Charm.

Yes. Recreational ships in Aus do not need a call sign unless they have SSB transceiver and therefore have a ship's station licence.


Marine VHF in Aus for recreational craft is operated under a Class License. No need for a call sign. See "Is a call sign or Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) needed?" at

: https://www.amsa.gov.au/mmsi/


Aus vessels with VHF are expected to have a crew with Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (or the equivalent or a higher certificate).


Melbourne Radio should be happy if you identify yourself by ship's name.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

Yes. Recreational ships in Aus do not need a call sign unless they have SSB transceiver and therefore have a ship's station licence.


Marine VHF in Aus for recreational craft is operated under a Class License. No need for a call sign. See "Is a call sign or Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) needed?" at

: https://www.amsa.gov.au/mmsi/


Aus vessels with VHF are expected to have a crew with Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (or the equivalent or a higher certificate).


Melbourne Radio should be happy if you identify yourself by ship's name.

Hmmm me wonders whether I can expect a fine for wondering into a live gunnery range and that's why they were asking

[El Pinguino]

Be thankful they no longer use the 4" same same Daring class..

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Hmmm me wonders whether I can expect a fine for wondering into a live gunnery range and that's why they were asking

More likely someone wants to speak sternly to you and, in response, want you to look sheepish and then for you to assert that in future you will monitor your radio with greater care and call ahead when in doubt.


For recreational fliers, the air traffic authority figures issue a Violation of Controlled Airspace notice if a pilot infringes on a restricted area. Getting more than one VCA can be a problem.

[Alan Mighty]

I've had a casual browse of both:

Parks Victoria - Notices to Mariners


and


Notices to mariners | Ports and waterways | Maritime safety | Transport Safety Victoria


Didn't find anything relevant.


What is the text marked on the chart?


The Aus Annual Notices to Mariners does have a chartlet with "the firing practice areas controlled by the Royal Australian Navy and declared under Sub-Regulation 49(1) of Defence Force Regulations, together with the appropriate Army and Air Force firing practice areas over the sea." Here is the relevant chartlet:

[Alan Mighty]

Could it be that you've infringed R374?

R374 is defined as:

[Alan Mighty]

In QLD, the notices to mariners announcing live firing activities and associated Marine Danger Areas are easy to find on-line.

Such NTMs, for example for live firing exercises in Shoalwater Bay, include the text:

"Pursuant to section 53 of the Defence Force Regulation 1952, any person or vessel found within the Marine Danger Area of the Gazetted Defence Practice Area commits an offence subject to 5 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 months, or both.


"Pursuant to section 54 of the Defence Force Regulation 1952, such persons or vessels may be removed by Australian Defence Force personnel, or by the Queensland Police. Any costs associated with removal may be borne by the owner, hirer, charterer or agent of the watercraft."

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

Could it be that you've infringed R374?

R374 is defined as:

One mile!? They ain't that accurate on their GOOD days.

[JPA Cate]

Hi, RC,

You may indeed get a chewing out. And likely will never hear what happened to the officer who said, "Fire!", either. That will be a strictly Navy affair. Good luck with it, I think maybe they'll accept the "honest error" and not be too hard on you. I don't know if it scared you, but it sure as heck would have scared me! I don't know what to make of their missing you, that could be a problem, too, for them, just getting the range, you know.

And congratulations on your safe arrival.

Ann & Jim