Oct 14 2009

Live Fire Operations in Pacific Missle Range — closer than you think!

Published by at 10:22 under Channel Islands,safety,safety at sea

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-PACIFIC MISSILE TEST RANGE HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS-PT MUGU
 
range
 
So, just where do I have to start worrying?

The answer is – just the other side of the coastwise traffic lane and just south of Channel Islands Harbor. I called Plead control last week and asked if I’d be in the range if I transited from a point just south of Anacapa Light to Santa Barbara Island.

Yes, indeedy, they replied. How about in harbor at Santa Cruz. AFFIRMATIVE.

And, if you look very closely at the chart, you can see that there’s a triangle shaped area that starts at Pt. Mugu and extends through the traffic lane.

Here’s a link to a bigger graphic: Pt. Mugu Sea Range

So, while they don’t intentionally target our favorite sailing areas, it is possible that they intend to overfly Santa Cruz or Santa Rosa and – frequently – San Miguel. If in doubt, give them a call. And if you intend to sail south from CI harbor, make doubly sure that your VHF is on and tuned to #16. You really don’t want the Securite announcement delivered by helicopter.

For information regarding the current HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS status updates contact “PLEAD CONTROL” on VHF MARINE Bridge to Bridge
CH-11 or CH-16, or at 805-989-8841 (0600-1800), 805-816-0792 (after hours). Request all Vessels transiting the PACIFIC MISSILE TEST RANGE
submit PLEAD CONTROL request, including vessel information, voyage destination, est. time of entry and departure of PACIFIC MISSILE TEST
RANGE, fax to 805-989-0102.

 

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4 responses so far

4 Responses to “Live Fire Operations in Pacific Missle Range — closer than you think!”

  1. # Wayne Roperon 14 Oct 2009 at 14:18

    Great info Dan.

    I hate to think how many weekend boaters don’t have a clue about the PMTC and their test zone.

    I didn’t know how much of the Channel Islands were effected.

  2. # Randy Bushon 15 Oct 2009 at 09:05

    That’s more info than I’ve ever been able to find on the range–thanks for your efforts!

    At least PLEAD came up when you hailed them. I’ve heard many vessels attempting to contact PLEAD to no avail. So should we assume that if they don’t respond, the range isn’t hot??

  3. # Capt. Danon 15 Oct 2009 at 18:32

    If I were transiting the heart of the missile firing area, I’d be nervous about assuming that I was in the clear just because PLEAD control was silent. On the other hand, if I were headed for Santa Cruz or Anacapa, I’d be less concerned.

  4. # Dwight Landison 21 Oct 2009 at 20:57

    Several months ago we were sailing on a nice Sunday morning towards Point Mugu and were hailed by a red Navy boat asking our intentions. I said we were sailing down the coast awhile and would be turning around in about a half an hour and returing to CI. The Navy replied “I strongly suggest that you turn around now, because we are going to commence active firing in about 30 minutes”. We turned around and, sure enough, in 30 minutes we heard “BOOM”.

    We never heard a securite in the 2 hours we were sailing, and we were not expecting to get one on a relaxing Sunday morning, but I guess the Navy/CG never sleeps (e.g. The Potomic 9/11 situation earlier this year).

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