RAF Donna Nook, cutting the corner

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Ohlin Karcher

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I want to cut across the NE corner of Donna Nook range tomorrow, ( GY to Wells) they are not answering phone or FB messaging to let me know about any 'activity'. There were F15s there today ( and we heard them from the boat!)
What happens if I can't get a specific yea or nay answer? I intend to enter the zone and see what occurs. Hopefully the brylcream boys stop bombing at lunchtime..
 
Give them a shout on VHF 16 when nearby. If that fails call CG on 16 and see if the are aware if the range is open or closed. They will try to contact the range is no reply to yourself. We went through but were asked to stay outside of the target raft, whilst live firing continued around us. Gave us something to look at��
 
ballyabroad said:
Give them a shout on VHF 16 when nearby. If that fails call CG on 16 and see if the are aware if the range is open or closed. They will try to contact the range is no reply to yourself. We went through but were asked to stay outside of the target raft, whilst live firing continued around us. Gave us something to look at��
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Thanks ballyabroad, very helpful.
 
As said channel 16, if you don’t hear from the range or cg, VTS will probably know, keep off shore side of target as is quite shallow there, we cross at DZ no2 and point the course then direct to Wells cardinal and just skirt the wind farm.

Have a good trip to wells
 
Daverw said:
As said channel 16, if you don’t hear from the range or cg, VTS will probably know, keep off shore side of target as is quite shallow there, we cross at DZ no2 and point the course then direct to Wells cardinal and just skirt the wind farm.

Have a good trip to wells
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Many thanks
 
Apart from last month when the range was in use for over 5 weeks due to international exercise, bombing runs day and night from planes and helicopters from all over the world, luckily they did not seem to want to play during weekend. They don’t seem to drop stuff nowadays but do fly low and very fast.

You may have seen hale sands, don’t try and cut the corner, shallows run a long way out, and yes what out for being overrun by the wind cats as they use the shallow route
 
Ohlin Karcher said:
:encouragement: ha ha! We will set a course close to the target raft to be safe from the bombs!
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I was sailing up the Irish Sea a few years ago and Range Control from Aberdovey(?) called us up and asked me to alter course so they could conduct a bombing run. My crew were 100% Royal Marines and all of us had served in Afghanistan and experienced/seen some of the efforts of the Brylcream Boys first hand. We told range control to tell the incoming bomber to aim at us where we would be entirely safe. He was NOT impressed and had a bit of a sense of humour failure.
 
Daverw said:
Apart from last month when the range was in use for over 5 weeks due to international exercise, bombing runs day and night from planes and helicopters from all over the world, luckily they did not seem to want to play during weekend. They don’t seem to drop stuff nowadays but do fly low and very fast.

You may have seen hale sands, don’t try and cut the corner, shallows run a long way out, and yes what out for being overrun by the wind cats as they use the shallow route
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Yes I was looking at those sandbanks with a very jaundiced eye..
 
john_morris_uk said:
I was sailing up the Irish Sea a few years ago and Range Control from Aberdovey(?) called us up and asked me to alter course so they could conduct a bombing run. My crew were 100% Royal Marines and all of us had served in Afghanistan and experienced/seen some of the efforts of the Brylcream Boys first hand. We told range control to tell the incoming bomber to aim at us where we would be entirely safe. He was NOT impressed and had a bit of a sense of humour failure.
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:cool: I wonder if a certain poster will rise to the bait
 
Whilst working off of Milford Haven a few years back we watched a navy ship steam straight into the Castlemarin ranges danger area despite numerous calls on 16 by the range control and Coast Guard! I would imagine a few high-level telephone calls were made that day as the range was active.

W.
 
Oh and if you're locking through from GY to sea on free flow, stay well back and wait for it to settle before trying to go through as it can be pretty 'exciting' if you don't.

W.
 
Ohlin Karcher said:
The turbulence tried to make the yacht go through the lock sideways, full helm needed and the lock keeper got on the VHF to make sure if I was using my engine, not just my mainsail.. all good clean fun!
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Sorry you didn't see my post earlier!

I had several thousand HP at hand and ended up just backing away hard astern but it was unexpected and I was a little disappointed the lock keeper didn't warn us. Seem to remember it's being pretty shallow just outside too requiring a fairly tight turn to the east? Maybe 10 years ago so a bit hazy on the memories.

Oh and if you've not got there yet, I worked from Wells for a while - make sure you stick to the channel if you're going up to the town quay. If the fish and chip place a couple of doors down from th pub is still there they were really good and often sold out early. There are some quaint shops to explore. I had a very beautiful girlfriend there for a couple of years too...

W.
 
PilotWolf said:
Sorry you didn't see my post earlier!

I had several thousand HP at hand and ended up just backing away hard astern but it was unexpected and I was a little disappointed the lock keeper didn't warn us. Seem to remember it's being pretty shallow just outside too requiring a fairly tight turn to the east? Maybe 10 years ago so a bit hazy on the memories.

Oh and if you've not got there yet, I worked from Wells for a while - make sure you stick to the channel if you're going up to the town quay. If the fish and chip place a couple of doors down from th pub is still there they were really good and often sold out early. There are some quaint shops to explore. I had a very beautiful girlfriend there for a couple of years too...

W.
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We got towed into Wells last night by the helpful HM's workboat who turned out in the rain when my engine got a fuel blockage. The harbour is doing fine with new business from windfarm services, but I don't have time to enjoy the quaintness and bustle, it's straight out with the spanners and siphon tubes:disgust:
 
Is Robert Smith still the harbour master? Nice helpful guy.

Also the local chandlery that was/is run by Mr R. Ludham - I don't remember his first name as I only have his initial in my contacts but very helpful if you're having problems. PM if you want his number.

W.
 
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