bluerm166
Well-known member
I must admit that there are so many lines on the chart along the Belgian coast, many with duck symbols showing nature reserves,that I had not spotted the implication of the 'flame' or explosives symbol on some lines, or imagined that anyone could run a firing range along a coast frequented by so many yachts. Nor did I understand the flemish warnings that I would have heard on the vhf,so I was surpised as I spun along in June ,downwind under half a jib and surfing down the waves at over 7kts and under wind vane control to be approached by a tubby launch with a man holding up a large board directing me to another VHF channel.
I had been aiming to pass inside the Stroombank to enter Ostende so probably just within 2 Nm of the coast.So I was a bit put out (and in disarray) to be suddenly told by a polite but firm lady to take a direct course at 90 degrees to clear the range extending 4 miles out to sea.In fact the wind direction allowed me to continue seaward on a reach in fairly large waves and eventually my request to turn back was accepted.In fact the lady admitted that use of the 4 mile range extension had now been abandoned anyway.Good news for the yacht behind me who had just entered the range where I had.
I must have been lucky passing previously and I wonder if others have had the same surprise.
I had been aiming to pass inside the Stroombank to enter Ostende so probably just within 2 Nm of the coast.So I was a bit put out (and in disarray) to be suddenly told by a polite but firm lady to take a direct course at 90 degrees to clear the range extending 4 miles out to sea.In fact the wind direction allowed me to continue seaward on a reach in fairly large waves and eventually my request to turn back was accepted.In fact the lady admitted that use of the 4 mile range extension had now been abandoned anyway.Good news for the yacht behind me who had just entered the range where I had.
I must have been lucky passing previously and I wonder if others have had the same surprise.