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.
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