Exclusion zone around QM2

2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
astern immediately and withdraw.

Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the
demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of
range.

I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire
but thought it unlikely.

While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal
Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to
commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2
why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what
statutory instrument they claim such a right?

Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not
matter.

David

Adagio wrote:

> Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not
> matter.

We know what they're like, they'll even expect a lighthouse to
give way to their aircraft carriers.

Adagio wrote:

> 2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
> astern immediately and withdraw.
>
> Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the
> demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of
> range.
>
> I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire
> but thought it unlikely.
>
> While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal
> Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to
> commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2
> why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what
> statutory instrument they claim such a right?
>
> Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not
> matter.
>
> David

I was at Portree on Skye a couple of months ago and they had a big cruise
liner anchored off and were disembarking tourists by launches to the pier.

The port was under a 'Category 2' alert and the HM informed me that to go to
the pump on the pier to fill my cans with fuel I would need photo id!.

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:17:06 GMT, Ronald Raygun
<no.spam@localhost.localdomain> wrote:

>Adagio wrote:
>
>> Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not
>> matter.
>
>We know what they're like, they'll even expect a lighthouse to
>give way to their aircraft carriers.

And if it doesn't they can smart-bomb it ! , Col regs can go in the
bin with the Geneva convention.

Gaz

>2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
> astern immediately and withdraw.

Yes, there is an advertised moving exclusion zone around shipping using
Portsmouth and Southampton ports. I THINK it is something like 500m in
front of the ship and 100m either side. The QHM or other authorities have
the power to legally enforce. PBO have done a few items on this in the last
year.

> Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the
> demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of
> range.

Really? I'm shocked you ignored the repeated warnings. I'd have used the
'off' switch on my VHF.

> I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire
> but thought it unlikely.

You mean MIB?

> While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal
> Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to
> commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2
> why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what
> statutory instrument they claim such a right?

Ah, but Westerly Centaurs are straight from the devil's armpit..... Maybe
the MIB should have opened up with all they own....

I think I would have been inclined to call VTS and ask them for
clarification. On second thoughts, I would not have done, least they
got passed it on to the vindictive ABP.

As it happens, QE2 came out of Soton on Sun as we were going up to
Marchwood. It passed within a cable or less but there was no escort
and no drama.

On the way down we saw a jetskier fishing within about 50 meters of a
LPG carrier moored at the refinery. Now that did scare me.

Ian

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:29:31 +0100, Adagio <anold.man@nowhere.com>
wrote:

>2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
>diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
>turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
>Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
>hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
>telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
>astern immediately and withdraw.
>
>Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the
>demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of
>range.
>
>I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire
>but thought it unlikely.
>
>While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal
>Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to
>commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2
>why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what
>statutory instrument they claim such a right?
>
>Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not
>matter.
>
>David

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:46:06 GMT, "Adam H"
<adam.t.harvey@REMOVEntlworld.com> wrote:

>>2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
>> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
>> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
>> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
>> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
>> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
>> astern immediately and withdraw.
>
>Yes, there is an advertised moving exclusion zone around shipping using
>Portsmouth and Southampton ports. I THINK it is something like 500m in
>front of the ship and 100m either side. The QHM or other authorities have
>the power to legally enforce. PBO have done a few items on this in the last
>year.

There is a moving exclusion zone for ship while in the area of concern
between Calshot and Cowes, as the ships manouvre round the dog-leg
caused by Bramble Bank. The exclusion zone is 100m either side and
1000m in front. It is somewhat tricky as the ships turn round west
bramble buoy as the exclusion zone in front sweeps round in an arc.

I am not aware of anything similar for ships in Pompey although there
are exclusion zones around warships. Not am I aware of any exclusion
around ships in the rest of Soton water.

Ian

Garry <kestrelteck@btconnect.com> wrote:

> >We know what they're like, they'll even expect a lighthouse to
> >give way to their aircraft carriers.
>
> And if it doesn't they can smart-bomb it !

Smart bombs are only smart by comparison with the average redneck.

"Adagio" <anold.man@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:98lad39qluttg0e56crh8opqk74g2fmm40@4ax.com...
>2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
> astern immediately and withdraw.
>
> Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the
> demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of
> range.
>
> I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire
> but thought it unlikely.
>
> While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal
> Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to
> commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2
> why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what
> statutory instrument they claim such a right?
>
> Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not
> matter.
>
> David

You should use greater care to remain out of exclusion zones in the
future. You might not know it but it's all because of fear of terrorist
bombs on boats. Muslim terrorists have stated that all shipping and
cruise lines in particular are targets such as was the U.S.S. Cole years
ago in Yemen.

Be particularly mindful to never get in the exclusion zone of a military
vessel as they have every right, sanctioned by law and treaty, to blow
your sorry arse right out of the water if they view any action of yours
as a threat to their vessel.

I hope this helps. It is yet another example of the folly of sticking
one's head in the sand like some dumb ostrich.

Wilbur Hubbard

On 29 Aug, 23:37, "Wilbur Hubbard" <wilburhubb...@thefarm.invallid>
wrote:

> You should use greater care to remain out of exclusion zones in the
> future. You might not know it but it's all because of fear of terrorist
> bombs on boats. Muslim terrorists have stated that all shipping and
> cruise lines in particular are targets such as was the U.S.S. Cole years
> ago in Yemen.

Has the US Navy ever thought of buying warships which can't be badly
damaged by a couple of blokes in a rubber dinghy?

Ian

"Wilbur Hubbard" <wilburhubbard@thefarm.invallid> wrote in message
news:46d5f4fe$0$62327$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.oct anews.com...
>
> "Adagio" <anold.man@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:98lad39qluttg0e56crh8opqk74g2fmm40@4ax.com...
>>2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
>> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
>> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
>> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
>> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
>> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
>> astern immediately and withdraw.
>>
>> Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the
>> demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of
>> range.
>>
>> I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire
>> but thought it unlikely.
>>
>> While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal
>> Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to
>> commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2
>> why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what
>> statutory instrument they claim such a right?
>>
>> Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not
>> matter.
>>
>> David
>
> You should use greater care to remain out of exclusion zones in the
> future. You might not know it but it's all because of fear of terrorist
> bombs on boats. Muslim terrorists have stated that all shipping and cruise
> lines in particular are targets such as was the U.S.S. Cole years ago in
> Yemen.
>
> Be particularly mindful to never get in the exclusion zone of a military
> vessel as they have every right, sanctioned by law and treaty, to blow
> your sorry arse right out of the water if they view any action of yours as
> a threat to their vessel.
>
> I hope this helps. It is yet another example of the folly of sticking
> one's head in the sand like some dumb ostrich.
>
> Wilbur Hubbard

Yes.. lets look at all the "exclusion zones" the yanks have ignored. We
could start with The Bay of Pigs and move all the way up to modern day Iraq.
Oh thats right.. They are Borders.. Not exclusion zones. silly me!

DP

"Adam H" <adam.t.harvey@REMOVEntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:O9jBi.35316$rr5.587@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
> >2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some
>> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I
>> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the
>> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was
>> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice
>> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go
>> astern immediately and withdraw.
>
> Yes, there is an advertised moving exclusion zone around shipping using
> Portsmouth and Southampton ports. I THINK it is something like 500m in
> front of the ship and 100m either side. The QHM or other authorities have
> the power to legally enforce. PBO have done a few items on this in the
> last year.
>
>> Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the
>> demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of
>> range.
>
> Really? I'm shocked you ignored the repeated warnings. I'd have used the
> 'off' switch on my VHF.
>
>> I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire
>> but thought it unlikely.
>
> You mean MIB?
>
>> While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal
>> Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to
>> commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2
>> why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what
>> statutory instrument they claim such a right?
>
> Ah, but Westerly Centaurs are straight from the devil's armpit..... Maybe
> the MIB should have opened up with all they own....
The moving exclusion zone applies only to the 'Area of Concern', and
vessels underway. Such an exclusion zone for vessels in port in Southampton
would be impractical as the other vessels would be forced on to the mud
banks as the deep water at Southampton Docks is such a narrow channel (as I
know from experience!).
I think she was expressing an opinion rather than anything enforceable.

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:37:52 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
<wilburhubbard@thefarm.invallid> wrote:

>

>
>Be particularly mindful to never get in the exclusion zone of a military
>vessel as they have every right, sanctioned by law and treaty, to blow
>your sorry arse right out of the water if they view any action of yours
>as a threat to their vessel.
>

If you had taken the trouble to read my OP then you be aware that I
knew of these restrictions. It was not clear to me that the QM2 fell
into the 'military vessel' category.

Perhaps it was an aircraft carrier in disguise?

>>Be particularly mindful to never get in the exclusion zone of a military
>>vessel as they have every right, sanctioned by law and treaty, to blow
>>your sorry arse right out of the water if they view any action of yours
>>as a threat to their vessel.
>
> If you had taken the trouble to read my OP then you be aware that I
> knew of these restrictions. It was not clear to me that the QM2 fell
> into the 'military vessel' category.
>
> Perhaps it was an aircraft carrier in disguise?

You never know......

	#1
Adagio	Exclusion zone around QM2 2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go astern immediately and withdraw. Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of range. I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire but thought it unlikely. While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2 why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what statutory instrument they claim such a right? Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not matter. David

	#2
Ronald Raygun	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 Adagio wrote: > Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not > matter. We know what they're like, they'll even expect a lighthouse to give way to their aircraft carriers.

	#3
Tony of Judicious	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 Adagio wrote: > 2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some > diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I > turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the > Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was > hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice > telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go > astern immediately and withdraw. > > Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the > demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of > range. > > I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire > but thought it unlikely. > > While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal > Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to > commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2 > why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what > statutory instrument they claim such a right? > > Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not > matter. > > David I was at Portree on Skye a couple of months ago and they had a big cruise liner anchored off and were disembarking tourists by launches to the pier. The port was under a 'Category 2' alert and the HM informed me that to go to the pump on the pier to fill my cans with fuel I would need photo id!.

	#4
Garry	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:17:06 GMT, Ronald Raygun <no.spam@localhost.localdomain> wrote: >Adagio wrote: > >> Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not >> matter. > >We know what they're like, they'll even expect a lighthouse to >give way to their aircraft carriers. And if it doesn't they can smart-bomb it ! , Col regs can go in the bin with the Geneva convention. Gaz

	#5
Adam H	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 >2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some > diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I > turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the > Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was > hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice > telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go > astern immediately and withdraw. Yes, there is an advertised moving exclusion zone around shipping using Portsmouth and Southampton ports. I THINK it is something like 500m in front of the ship and 100m either side. The QHM or other authorities have the power to legally enforce. PBO have done a few items on this in the last year. > Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the > demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of > range. Really? I'm shocked you ignored the repeated warnings. I'd have used the 'off' switch on my VHF. > I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire > but thought it unlikely. You mean MIB? > While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal > Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to > commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2 > why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what > statutory instrument they claim such a right? Ah, but Westerly Centaurs are straight from the devil's armpit..... Maybe the MIB should have opened up with all they own....

	#6
ian@atsandelldot.codot.uk	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 I think I would have been inclined to call VTS and ask them for clarification. On second thoughts, I would not have done, least they got passed it on to the vindictive ABP. As it happens, QE2 came out of Soton on Sun as we were going up to Marchwood. It passed within a cable or less but there was no escort and no drama. On the way down we saw a jetskier fishing within about 50 meters of a LPG carrier moored at the refinery. Now that did scare me. Ian On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:29:31 +0100, Adagio <anold.man@nowhere.com> wrote: >2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some >diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I >turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the >Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was >hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice >telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go >astern immediately and withdraw. > >Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the >demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of >range. > >I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire >but thought it unlikely. > >While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal >Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to >commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2 >why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what >statutory instrument they claim such a right? > >Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not >matter. > >David

	#8
Steve Firth	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 Garry <kestrelteck@btconnect.com> wrote: > >We know what they're like, they'll even expect a lighthouse to > >give way to their aircraft carriers. > > And if it doesn't they can smart-bomb it ! Smart bombs are only smart by comparison with the average redneck.

	#9
Wilbur Hubbard	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 "Adagio" <anold.man@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:98lad39qluttg0e56crh8opqk74g2fmm40@4ax.com... >2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some > diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I > turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the > Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was > hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice > telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go > astern immediately and withdraw. > > Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the > demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of > range. > > I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire > but thought it unlikely. > > While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal > Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to > commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2 > why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what > statutory instrument they claim such a right? > > Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not > matter. > > David You should use greater care to remain out of exclusion zones in the future. You might not know it but it's all because of fear of terrorist bombs on boats. Muslim terrorists have stated that all shipping and cruise lines in particular are targets such as was the U.S.S. Cole years ago in Yemen. Be particularly mindful to never get in the exclusion zone of a military vessel as they have every right, sanctioned by law and treaty, to blow your sorry arse right out of the water if they view any action of yours as a threat to their vessel. I hope this helps. It is yet another example of the folly of sticking one's head in the sand like some dumb ostrich. Wilbur Hubbard

	#10
Ian	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 On 29 Aug, 23:37, "Wilbur Hubbard" <wilburhubb...@thefarm.invallid> wrote: > You should use greater care to remain out of exclusion zones in the > future. You might not know it but it's all because of fear of terrorist > bombs on boats. Muslim terrorists have stated that all shipping and > cruise lines in particular are targets such as was the U.S.S. Cole years > ago in Yemen. Has the US Navy ever thought of buying warships which can't be badly damaged by a couple of blokes in a rubber dinghy? Ian

	#11
D Parker	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 "Wilbur Hubbard" <wilburhubbard@thefarm.invallid> wrote in message news:46d5f4fe$0$62327$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.oct anews.com... > > "Adagio" <anold.man@nowhere.com> wrote in message > news:98lad39qluttg0e56crh8opqk74g2fmm40@4ax.com... >>2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some >> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I >> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the >> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was >> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice >> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go >> astern immediately and withdraw. >> >> Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the >> demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of >> range. >> >> I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire >> but thought it unlikely. >> >> While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal >> Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to >> commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2 >> why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what >> statutory instrument they claim such a right? >> >> Wilbur, of course, will say that as they are American it does not >> matter. >> >> David > > You should use greater care to remain out of exclusion zones in the > future. You might not know it but it's all because of fear of terrorist > bombs on boats. Muslim terrorists have stated that all shipping and cruise > lines in particular are targets such as was the U.S.S. Cole years ago in > Yemen. > > Be particularly mindful to never get in the exclusion zone of a military > vessel as they have every right, sanctioned by law and treaty, to blow > your sorry arse right out of the water if they view any action of yours as > a threat to their vessel. > > I hope this helps. It is yet another example of the folly of sticking > one's head in the sand like some dumb ostrich. > > Wilbur Hubbard Yes.. lets look at all the "exclusion zones" the yanks have ignored. We could start with The Bay of Pigs and move all the way up to modern day Iraq. Oh thats right.. They are Borders.. Not exclusion zones. silly me! DP

	#12
Duncan Heenan	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 "Adam H" <adam.t.harvey@REMOVEntlworld.com> wrote in message news:O9jBi.35316$rr5.587@newsfe1-win.ntli.net... > >2 or 3 weeks ago I motored up the Itchen from Hythe to buy some >> diesel. On returning down river and wishing to go up to Marchwood I >> turned right at Southampton dock head. There was a ferry leaving the >> Town Quay so I kept right pass close to the QM2. Whereupon I was >> hailed by a loud and arrogant souding American accented female voice >> telling me that I had entered a prohibited area and that I should go >> astern immediately and withdraw. > > Yes, there is an advertised moving exclusion zone around shipping using > Portsmouth and Southampton ports. I THINK it is something like 500m in > front of the ship and 100m either side. The QHM or other authorities have > the power to legally enforce. PBO have done a few items on this in the > last year. > >> Having regard to my need to pass the ferry port to port I ignored the >> demand which was then repeated continuously until I passed out of >> range. > > Really? I'm shocked you ignored the repeated warnings. I'd have used the > 'off' switch on my VHF. > >> I did wonder whether FBI G-Men might appear at the rail and open fire >> but thought it unlikely. > > You mean MIB? > >> While I am am aware of the existence of an exclusion zone around Royal >> Naval vessels I have never heard of such a thing in regard to >> commercial shipping. If Carnival can claim such a zone around the QM2 >> why cannot I around my Westerly Centaur? Does anyone know under what >> statutory instrument they claim such a right? > > Ah, but Westerly Centaurs are straight from the devil's armpit..... Maybe > the MIB should have opened up with all they own.... The moving exclusion zone applies only to the 'Area of Concern', and vessels underway. Such an exclusion zone for vessels in port in Southampton would be impractical as the other vessels would be forced on to the mud banks as the deep water at Southampton Docks is such a narrow channel (as I know from experience!). I think she was expressing an opinion rather than anything enforceable.

	#14
Adam H	Re: Exclusion zone around QM2 >>Be particularly mindful to never get in the exclusion zone of a military >>vessel as they have every right, sanctioned by law and treaty, to blow >>your sorry arse right out of the water if they view any action of yours >>as a threat to their vessel. > > If you had taken the trouble to read my OP then you be aware that I > knew of these restrictions. It was not clear to me that the QM2 fell > into the 'military vessel' category. > > Perhaps it was an aircraft carrier in disguise? You never know......