Aggressive Range Boat

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mirabriani

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Follow-on from the Lifeboat story below......
Last weekend I was in a group of three small dinghies,
on passage from Littlestone to Hythe (Kent)
Yes, we knew the firing range was there, but local knowledge has it that red flags are flown when firing, alledgedly.
So off we go until we are at the edge of the range about 1 1/2 miles out when we see a rib with "bone in it's mouth"
We tack outwards. Rib stands on at high speed straight towards us and only slows at the last second.
"Are you aware you are right in the middle of a live firing range?" I remonstrated but was told we had to go out another half mile. I asked if the area was still buoyed
"No, buoys need maintenance" Off he powered to the other two dinghies nearly swamping us.
Apparently they took the same aggressive action with the others.
I confess to being slightly miffed. I might have felt a little rebellious. We cut the corner slightly. Back he came for another showdown.
Just to make sure he ordered us to go around him as he position himself at the extreme edge of the range.
We naughtily cut across his bows instead.
We were rewarded by another swamping! and an escort to shore.
I feel it might save a little time and money to position a couple of buoys.

Should I rename the dinghy "naughty-buoy"?

Regards Briani
 
My understanding from a chap who used to command a tank regiment that you have right of passage and they have to cease firing. He exercised the right when on route to catch the tide at Portland, unfortunately he was recognised via a spotter scope and it cost him many drinks in the mess. Could a lawyer among the company clarify?

Iota
 
In a warship you cannot fire unless you have a clear range both visually and on radar. You can ask people to clear off but cannot fire until they have!
 
You don\'t need a lawyer...

Avoiding shooting rage areas is purely voluntary.

I suggest that other than under stress of weather or conditions encountered on route, any seaman worth his boots would plan a passage to avoid the situation and / or confrontation if he could.
 
Re: Correction

Soooo!

How many Scuttlebutters would assert their right of free passage when faced with rather aggressive action?

As an addendum we noted that there was a small boat with men fishing in the area for some hours. In addition although the range boat intercepted a power boat, they allowed it to carry on into the area. How is this justified?

Regards Briani
 
Simple solution .... Black balls

Exhibiting 2 balck balls is akin to pointing two fingers in the air. The Hythe ranges are notorious for being a complete and utter waste of taxpayers monies. If the UK concentrated all its tank/mortar/rifle ranges into one area around Otterburn and used them on a continuous basis that range would only be used 2 days a week.

I've been caught by the same range boat several times at the extreme perimeter of the danger area (which is defined not by mathematics but by an arbitrary rule that was invented in 1912) and having found out previously that live firing was going to take place later in the day and not when I was crossing the area, I've now taken to flying 2 black balls whenever I'm in one of the myriad of (redundant) live firing areas around our coast ...
 
It was for real .... :)

It was at the outset tongue in cheek but having talked on the radio to the Hythe Firing Range Control who said that there was no live firing for the next 4 days we hoisted 2 PREMEDITATED black balls to see what would happen based on previous experience.

Lo and behold out of the blue came this diesel guzzler who upon seeing the 2 black balls offered us a tow which we declined. The bullhorn message said "Don't worry. There's no more live firing till a week on Teusday" .... and all the time the gieger counter was going apeshit .... We happened to be over the end of the Dungeness non-nuclear outfall pipe /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

... and to compound matters we flew a french flag /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
These 'Range Safety Boats' have normally no authority whatever over vessels exercising their right of innocent passage. However, the 'bully boys' who man many of them know that most yotties don't know that, so they bully 'us' into doing what they want.

I don't have much time for bullies, and would certainly challenge them. And, I'd certainly follow up any instances of aggressive, offensive or hazardous behaviour with a written complaint to the Officer Commanding, and local MP. Aggressive and threatening behaviour is an offence - even at sea, and a written complaint to the local police could well have the desired effect.

That said, I'd try reasonably to avoid active gunnery ranges, 'cos the guys there have a job to do.
 
I always sail straight through the range between Swansea and Milford whatever the range boat says - to do otherwise is too long a detour.

problem is that the range boats have been privatised, and instaed of a squaddie who couldnt give a damn, the civilian crews now seem to feel that they have some power, a bit like private security guards.
 
Re: Correction

Maybe it makes a difference, but I've only been hassled by a range boat once, and that was some years ago. He was quite polite, but then again, he was patrolling a range used exclusively by Royal Marines, and they are allegedly better shots than the Army, so less chance of getting hit by stray rounds. Is this correct?
 
Re: Correction

Stay away from firing zones.
The guys that do the firings can also make mistakes (different round, wrong aiming point, weapon not clear, weapon loaded too early or defective...) or maybe the radar has not spotted you.
Believe me, I have seen tis too often!
 
online firing times?

We're planning on popping down to weymouth in sept ... from Lulworth cove to St Albans head (or there abouts) there is a firing range .... I've read that there is no firing in August and firing times are broadcase on RSolent and available from the coastguard etc, but is there an online resource or does some1 have a timetable?

Ta! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: online firing times?

I have no local knowledge, but if there is a publication it should be no problem.
In the Netherlands the days when firings take place are in a bulletin.
I would stay well away on days when firings take place, even if it is stated that the firings are only in the afternoon.
In your case, when there is a publication that in August there are no firings, no problem.

Please remember that for the guys that have to do the firings it is an absolute pain in the *** if some @#$% is fishing in the range for hours!
 
Re: online firing times?

I'm hoping to go past in September, I think it is only to 5Nm offshore and I can go round that, but it would be nice to know in advance!
But I suppose I could always chuck the fishing line out the back, display the appropriate shapes and bobs my uncle! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: online firing times?

You can call the coastguard he will tell you, or phone the range office - number in almanacs
Firing times are also given on Navtex
 
Re: online firing times?

[ QUOTE ]
We're planning on popping down to weymouth in sept ... from Lulworth cove to St Albans head (or there abouts) there is a firing range ....is there an online resource or does some1 have a timetable?

Ta! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Lulworth ranges gives as much advanced information as is available. Any other times are announced via Radio Solent, Portland Coastguard, or by callin Range Control.

If you aaproach during operational times, you will rapidly be accosted by arange safety boat and 'requested' to divert seaward, the distance dependant on whether the inner area (5 miles out) or outer area is in use.

The range danger area is clearly marked on charts, and there are two DZ buoys off St Albans, and one around 5 miles south of Lulworth.

Lulworth itself is outside the range area, and can be freely accessed from the south and west at any time, while to the east, north of a line from the western end of Kimmeridge bay to the northernbmost DZ mark off St Albans the coast as far as Kimmeridge remains open.

Firing times normally occur between 9.00am and 5.00pm, but the range often re-opens earlier than 5.00pm as soon as the days firing exercise is finished - sometimes earlier than 2.00pm. Listen out for Range Control notifying Portland Coastguard - and check with HMCG if you are not sure.

Try anchoring overnight in somewhere like Mupes Bay within the range, and you willbe 'moved on' the night before, or given the option of clearing out by 7.00am.

It is well worth checking on the days firing, as if conditions do not suit, or whatever, firing may be cancelled at short notice, and the sea area remains open. This happens quite often.
 
Re: online firing times?

[ QUOTE ]
But I suppose I could always chuck the fishing line out the back, display the appropriate shapes and bobs my uncle! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

See Colregs Rule 3(d).
 
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