| DawnStar |
| (regular) |
| 21/05/2008 12:03 |
Boat to Milford & Castle Martin Range
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With the run of NE or SE winds decided to move Dawn Star down to the Haven prior to my cruise to Ireland. Tuesday, forecast SE 4-5 perfect, left at HW Barry 0845 and had a good sail as far as Nash, when the wind started to fall light and go right round to E, ended up motoring arriving in Milford in time for the last lock.
Having rounded St Gowans the Castle Martin range called to tell me that they intended Tank Gunnery in 20 minutes time and on my present course and speed I would hold then up for a further 30 minutes and would I go S for 3 miles to clear the range. I then quoted the Range byelaw Nov 1986 which stated
that Quote " These byelaws shall not insofar as they relate to the sea area apply to:
a..any vessel,not being used for fishing in the sea area,passsing through the sea area in the ordinary course of navigation and remaining in the sea area no longer than is reasonably necessary to pass through the sea area
The Range officer who was fully aware of this section of bye law agreed. The outcome was..I agreed to increase my speed but maintain by present course, for which he thanked me.
| gtuson |
| (regular) |
| 21/05/2008 20:55 |
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Re: Boat to Milford & Castle Martin Range
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thanks for this posting - a useful bit of experience and information to tuck away for when needed
| Alcyone |
| (regular) |
| 21/05/2008 22:02 |
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Re: Boat to Milford & Castle Martin Range
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Glad the trip went well. I must write that byelaw down, just in case.....
| graham |
| (regular) |
| 22/05/2008 12:26 |
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Re: Boat to Milford & Castle Martin Range
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Glad you had a good passage down.
Re the ranges ,fine if you can clear the area in half an hour or so but personally I wouldnt deliberately interfere with the range operation.
I know from experience that our boys and girls never get enough live firing opportunities.The next live firing they do may be in Afghanistan or some other hell hole.The practice on the range may help them stay alive.
| Damo |
| (regular) |
| 23/05/2008 20:52 |
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Re: Boat to Milford & Castle Martin Range
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It is also reputedly the best battlerun and live firing area in Western Europe, which is why several NATO countries send their units there for practise.
NB ricochets can travel several miles, so the "exclusion" area is there for a reason
