Navy’s not taking chances these days

Ahoy.

While passing Point Loma just after sunrise, I immediately woke

the crew when a surfaced Navy submarine was starting to appear out of

the fog. We were on a 140-degree magnetic heading with numerous

targets scattered on the radar, but now we were situated in between

the submarine and the San Diego entrance.

The entrance to San Diego Bay lies directly north and south, and

seaward of Point Loma are the inbound and outbound traffic lanes that

extend a few miles to the south and then westerly.

So, since I was only a few miles directly off Point Loma, I knew

there was a high probability that the large black sub would cruise

south of Point Loma and then alter her course toward us to enter the

inbound traffic lanes. We could see the top of the sub’s large

propeller flopping out of the water and the crew lookouts standing in

the conning tower. We wanted to maintain our heading for the

U.S.-Mexico international line, so we were watching for the sub’s

course altering toward our vessel.

However, we did not have the option of maintaining course, as a

60-foot naval security vessel swooped up on our starboard side and

aggressively forced us to alter course to port. No words of

communications were transmitted to us over the VHF radio from either

the sub or security, but as we altered 20 degrees to port, we noticed

the sub start to turn toward the harbor.

Once we had passed the bow of the sub, the naval vessel backed off

while always remaining between us and the sub. On board our vessel, a

joke was made about what would happen if we immediately altered

course directly at the sub, but I told the crew to simply observe the

size of the deck guns on the security vessel.

It was our exciting encounter of the week, but a reminder that the

Navy is not taking any chances in this time of war, and that all

mariners must observe the new Naval Vessel Protection Zones for all

military vessels. Near ports such as Long Beach, these rules are

being extended to cargo, tanker and cruise ships.

The Naval Vessel Protection Zones’ regulations state that the no

vessels are allowed within 100 yards without authorization from the

ship or an escort vessel. If your vessel is within 500 yards, then

you are to operate at minimum speed in a nonthreatening manner. You

can always contact the vessels on marine channel 16.

And remember, it is a felony to disobey a command to change course

even when cruising outside these zones. We were farther than 500

yards to the sub, and we did obey the security boat’s physical moves

for us to go to port.

There are many ships cruising off Newport’s coast, so keep your

eyes open and be extra courteous to ships, especially when you are

visiting other ports.

ALL ABOUT EEL GRASS

The manatees are to Florida as eel grass is to Newport Harbor.

Florida boaters and property owners have been severely affected by

regulations imposed to protect the manatees. Property owners are not

allowed to build docks, and manatee speed zones for boaters were

established in the inner waterways. None of the regulations were

based on any scientific data but pushed through by special interest

groups.

Floridians have finally had enough, and they have started

challenging the regulations in court. Last Tuesday, the U.S. Fish &

Wildlife released a biological opinion that dock construction will

not increase the rate of manatees dying because of more boats using

the new docks. There are upwards of 1,500 dock permits backlogged

waiting for approval. This opinion will now go to the Army Corps of

Engineers.

I wonder how much longer it will be before Newport’s boaters and

property owners become as upset with our eel grass situation to start

litigation to demand actual scientific proof and baselines. Can we

experience the nightmare similar to Florida’s -- you bet. Just see

what it takes to get a dock permit now if there is a blade of eel

grass in the vicinity.

Reminder: The Marine Committee of the Newport Beach Chamber of

Commerce meets at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Chamber’s Conference room.

Call (949) 729-4400.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to mike@boathousetv.com or visit boathousetv.com.