Question about keeping a minimum distance from military/law enforcement

[Nicholson58]

Unless they indicate emergency business they are just another powered vessel. Have your PFD on or visible. U.S. flag displayed? Wave and say hi, thanks for your diligence.

Are you constrained by draft? Hold course and be courteous.

If there is an official exercise ongoing such as we encountered off SC coast it will be on 16 constantly. Is your radio on? It should be.

[captmikem]

Originally Posted by John_Trusty

That said, with the current climate in Washington, all these public servants are feeling cocky now, so better give them a wide berth. As a lawyer friend asked me: Could you prove on the street that you’re a US Citizen, because if you can’t, you’re in danger of deportation.

You need to get a new lawyer. For U.S.-born citizens, the protection is straightforward—you can’t be deported.

[sailcub]

Originally Posted by John_Trusty

So it seems that this only applies to US Navy warships and vessels over 100 feet LOA. Your “large black RIB”, DEA, DHS, ICE, or any local water cops aren’t covered by any specific nav rules.

That said, with the current climate in Washington, all these public servants are feeling cocky now, so better give them a wide berth. As a lawyer friend asked me: Could you prove on the street that you’re a US Citizen, because if you can’t, you’re in danger of deportation.

Make sure you stay in the nice and safe Bahamas and not venture back to the US in fear....

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Dahveed

Warships will announce on 16 advising to keep clear. Other government boats I would treat just like any other vessel in as far as the colregs go. That 35’ RIB with the machine gun is just a regular boat, but with a machine gun.

Submarines are intentionally hard to spot on the surface. We had one sneak up on us when leaving the Chesapeake one day. The escort vessel did come check us out before determining we were simply recreational sailors trying to get out of its way. The way we even saw the sub was that it turned on its AIS and it suddenly appeared on the chart plotter.

It’s quite common to see military vessels in the southern Chesapeake. And military planes in the central Chesapeake.

Subs are definitely hard to spot especially the smaller Attack Subs with the dive planes on the sail.

The last time I was approached by a Navy Escort Boat was because I didn't see the Sub.

My chart plotter is below decks so I don't have it at the helm to see my AIS Display.

About the time he/they arrived, I spotted it.

[OneBoatman]

Most definitely a boat with Navy Seals on a training exercise. While you could contact them on Ch 16 or perhaps 9, to see if they are doing anything other than using the channel to approach a harbor, otherwise they will let you know. Doing U turn and letting them go ahead as the courtesy granted a military vessel is also fine, but if they object to your normal passage and wish you to keep clear they will certainly let you know. I believe they carry 50 caliper rifles and perhaps some other things. There are Naval exercises on the bay almost daily especially in the waters around Annapolis and Norfolk and keeping a reasonable distance away is normally not too difficult, but it is best to grant them proper respect and keep in mind their larger vessels are most certainly "CBD".

[Shrew]

I spent many years in a marina on the Thames River in CT just river from the Groton Sub Base. There is no distance requirement for the escort boats. I would definitely be monitoring 16 anywhere near a Naval Base. They will be regularly announcing large ship or sub movement in and near harbor.

Not all ribs/sibs are actively escorting. Some are just on patrol or moving between locations.

Are you sure it was Navy? Most (I didn't say all, there are rarely absolutes in life) are grey. Black Rib and black uniforms with a large number of occupants patrolling on a weekend sounds more like a overly militarized municipal police.

[captmikem]

Originally Posted by sailcub

Make sure you stay in the nice and safe Bahamas and not venture back to the US in fear....

The US State Department has posted a travel advisory update urging Americans to “exercise increased caution” in the Bahamas, citing crime.

“Gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population,” the advisory, posted on January 26 2024, reads. The advisory out the most-affected islands of New Providence, where Nassau is located, and Grand Bahama, where Freeport is located.

“Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.”

The Bahamas is listed at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, out of 4 advisory levels.

[X Fernandez]

Spain, France, Germany and the UK are also level 2 advisories. It’s not an elite club. If we ranked ourselves (the U.S.) objectively we would be level 2 or higher.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by leecea

Question about keeping a minimum distance from military/law enforcement vessels in the US.

Just after we entered our marina we saw a large black RIB full of people in black uniforms with no obvious indication as to who or what they were. They were cruising slowly down then back up the channel leading to the marinas in our area. That channel is not very wide.

I think you're supposed to slow right down and hail to ask for permission if you can't keep the minimum distance, which would be impossible in the channel.

This is new to us. Has anyone encountered it on the Chesapeake bay and how did it go? We obviously want to follow the rules.

After passing through the Port Townsend Canal, I headed directly for the Port Townsend Boat Yard for my scheduled haul-out. As I passed abeam of Indian Island Naval Magazine, in the process of loading a ship, a small armed navy gunboat charged out to monitor my passing, maintaining a standoff distance but always pointing directly at me. I continued my heading directly to the boat yard and speed without incident.

[FlyingScot]

I'm a former US submariner and a big fan of the Navy, not just the US one.

We live in Bonaire, which is Dutch owned. Every six months the Dutch Navy rotates in a new Offshore Patrol Vessel.

One day we left Bonaire in light winds. The newly arrived OPV left not long after us, and about an hour later they called us on Channel 16. They told us to stay at least 2 nautical miles away from them at all times. Of course I had no problem with that and turned more to the north.

Maybe 30 to 45 minutes later we all found out why. We heard a fast series of loud booms — boom boom boom boom. Turns out they were running a live fire drill with the bow mounted 3 inch gun. That thing can fire up to 120 rounds per minute.

So yeah, the takeaway here is that Navy ships will definitely let you know when they want their space.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollan..._patrol_vessel

[gs41escapade]

Originally Posted by Johan Leopard51

Sometimes you have no choice in the matter : I had a US sub surface under 200m from me off Seychelles! That big one with the pod on deck for divers.

You are lucky. They clearly did not know you were there. As a prior sub driver, I can tell you that fiberglass hulls with no engine running make virtually no noise for sonar to pick up. And, can be very difficult to see on the periscope while coming up.

I'm sure they acted like "no big deal", but had words amongst themselves!

[Ike]

I agree with many of the comments here.

Monitor Channel 16.
Coast Guard and Navy boats are usually easily identified. (Navy, usually gray, do I really need to describe a Coast Guard vessel?)
I have had some encounters with with Army and Marine Corps inflatables and RHIBs during military exercises. They are usually Black.

Don't know what the black uniforms are. Could be ICE . It's been all over the news lately about them wearing black uniforms.

Best thing is to stay clear. If there is clearly a danger call up the Coast Guard on Ch 16 and ask if there are military exercises in your area. They are supposed to be notified and issue a notice to mariners of a restricted area.

If approached (in US waters) slow down and allow them to communicate. They will tell you usually by bullhorn what they want you to do.

In other countries I can't advise you.

[Time Theory]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Navy/military ships only. Over-funded local police with unnecessary military gear have no such restrictions on distance.

Chotu, interesting statement. If possible, can you please provide the source confirming that "Over-funded local police with unnecessary military gear...." is accurate?