Apparently the USS Harry Truman, a humongous American aircraft carrier, is anchored just outside the island where I live. It’s clearly visible from the coast, I would guess it is at most 5 kilometres away from the nearest beach.
So say I wanted to take my kayak and paddle all the way up to the ship. Or maybe even swim up there, just to admire its enormity. Would I get stopped on my way there? Is there some sort of exclusion zone? Would I be seen as a threat?
I am seriously considering grabbing my kayak and getting close to the ship, but I don’t want to get killed over this
Speculating: I would imagine you’ll be waved off by patrol boats (zodiacs?) at some distance X determined by Navy policy, and if you obstinately continue beyond that point, you’ll be subject to arrest (probably) or small arms fire (possibly).
I would guess if you get close enough for them to bother visiting you with a patrol boat, they’re going to detain you until they figure out what you’re all about.
You won’t killed, but you’ll be stopped before you get within a few hundred yards. Here in San Diego, and prior to 9/11 you could get reasonably close to the carriers moored at No. Island Naval Air Station. Today, however, there is a boom that surrounds the area where the carriers and supply ships are moored. Small boats open and close the boom when the ships depart/arrive.
So if you’re within a mile and a half in your kayak, fergodsake, don’t stop paddling.
They don’t mention consequences for violating those restrictions, but I would expect something in line with my earlier post: arrest/detention for simple violation, and potential use of deadly force if you continue your approach despite repeated warnings.
Do not approch within 100 yards of any U.S. naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel in order to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the Navigation Rules, you much contact the U.S. naval vessel or the Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.
You must opearte at minimum speed wihtin 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel and proceed as directed by the Commanding Officer or the official patrol.
Violations of the Naval Vessel Protection Zone area felony offense, punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines.
So…don’t. Don’t even consider it. Since the attack on the U.S.S. Cole, the Navy has been very careful about surveillance, and especially with a large capital vessel such as an aircraft carrier (though there is little you could carry on a kayak that would significantly damage the vessel).
And it should go without saying that if you are paddling in Navy controlled wates or in shipping channels you should have your radio on and turned to Channel 16 at all times. Right?
Thanks for your answers, it’s all quite clear now.
I’ve had previous experiences kayaking into off-limits areas here (the King of Spain’s summer palace is also in Mallorca, get too close and they’ll send the coast guard out!). But I don’t think I want to get in trouble with the US army.
What I cited were just the general rules for Naval Vessel Protection Zones. I didn’t look at your link but if is specifying the zone that is around the USS Harry Truman specifically it would supercede this. I wouldn’t find that surprising given the value of the vessel and its desireability as a target.
Navy. The Army could give fuck-all about your fishing around a Navy vessel. On the other hand, if you start filming their exercises or try to sneak into a Reserve armory, they’ll come down on you like a ton of bricks.
Here’s a tangential note, about kayaking in restricted places:
The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, on the Central California coast, is accessible only by a private gated road and by boat from the sea. The entire portion of the coastline in that area, out to some distance, is restricted territory.
Yet, they accommodate recreational kayakers. I don’t know the rules, except that I had a friend who has kayaked the entire U. S. West Coast and much more, and blogged it all, and he told me once about it. For recreational kayakers who want to go through there, I think you have to call them ahead of time, and there are some rules about how close to shore you can come, and stopping, and such. But the point is, they do accommodate recreational kayakers.
What would happen if you were cruising along and a navy vessel were coming in your direction? Would the exclusion zone still apply, or just the standard marine navigation rules?
While serving aboard the USS CARL VINSON, I remember two cases. The first was when the Vinson was returning to home port from a six-month deployment. Some guy in a motorboat tried to come alongside the carrier. A USCG vessel was already alongside and the guy in the motorboat disregarded the instructions to stay away from the carrier. I recall hearing someone on the Coast Guard vessel ordering the moron in the boat to shut down his engine and prepare to be boarded (or words to that effect).
The second was while the Vinson was anchored in port overseas. A small boat was coming straight at the stern, where I happened to be on watch with the OOD. The OOD ordered the boat to stay away. Boat disregarded. OOD called for the Marine detachment who came running. Of course, the OOD warned the potential intruder/attacker that he could get shot if he got too close. Evidently, the idiot driving the small boat finally noticed a bunch of rifles pointed at him and realized that (a) this wasn’t television and (b) he could die from his stupidity.
So, what would happen? Worst case: you can die. Next worst case: you can go to a federal prison. Third worst case: you will have to pay a fine.
