Whiskey Gulf

[Pat Anderson]

We kept hearing Winchelsea Control on Channel 16 with communications about Whiskey Gulf, which is apparently active on an on-going basis, as we were returning from Pender Harbour on Wednesday. Both our Navionics chip for the C80 and the iPad Navionics app show HUGE areas as "Firing range and target practice" outlined with a dotted red line, so we tried to stay outside what we were seeing. But I know Whiskey Gulf cannot possibly be that large - it included areas where ferries and freighters were running, barges were being towed, and all kinds of stuff was going on.

So last night I tried to Google for a map of exactly WHERE Whiskey Gulf is. I got one map, but the comment said "Your map is highly inaccurate." Does anybody have an accurate map of Whiskey Gulf they can share, or point me to a link that shows it? And even if it is fairly confined (a description I read said it is "generally north and east of Nanaimo"), when it is active how do you cross the Straight between say, Pender Harbour and Nanaimo? How does Martin get back to Comox? And why is it not precisely located on the Navionics charting?

I know somebody here knows the answers, and I sure hope they will share!

[On edit: the area is officially "Whiskey Golf" but mariners frequently refer to it as "Whiskey Gulf," and Clyde Ford's novel is titled "Whiskey Gulf." And if you Google "Whiskey Golf," you don't find it!]

[Sunbeam]

I'm not looking at a chart, but IIRC it is labeled as "WG"? I think that is why it is called Whiskey Golf (i.e. golf as in the name for the letter G, not gulf as in natural feature).

Of course a local will chime in with the real answer, but meanwhile I figured you might be able to see "WG" on whatever you are looking at.

[bridma]

Hi Pat,

When I return to Comox from Nanaimo, I pass through Winchelsea and Ballenas Islands, thereby just missing WG. When I go to the Sunshine Coast, I go north of Texada Island. There is a map in the Waggoner's guide that gives you a good idea where WG is.

Martin.

[doubles]

http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/Pacific/MCTS/Notice-of-Hazardous-Area

[BrentB]

here is m2cw


It is easy to determine if area WG will be active: simply listen to the continuous weather broadcast on VHF WX1, which reports the range schedule. I find it funny (from the article)that many folks call Comox Coast Guard Radio or Winchelsea Control to see if area WG is active when all you have to do is listen to the weather radio.

from
http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/2011/03/hazards-to-navigation-while-cruising-north-area-whiskey-golf/



Canadian charts 3463 and 3512
from
http://midislandnews.com/whiskey-golf-military-test-range

[Pat Anderson]

Yes, I just found that link, the official description. Thanks. Googling "Whiskey Golf" just gets you the Whiskey Creek Golf Course, but Googling "Whiskey Golf active" gives you quite a few links, including this one.

For everybody, here is the official Canadian Coast Guard image on Double's link:



It appears there is no issue going down the middle of the Strait or on the mainland side at all.

[Captains Cat]

Pat, if you google Whiskey Golf, the golf course does indeed come up first but the 4th one is this one.

Sometimes you just need to go a little further down the google results..

Charlie

[ghone]

That's right Pat, going down the mainland is no issue or almost the middle. It's just crossing the strait is a challenge. Area WG (whiskey golf phoenitc alphabet) has been contentious. This is a test range. It's been suggested in many letters to editors etc by many boaters that the navy should move it's test range to real world ocean conditions ie the West Coast somewhere. Not GS which for a ship is like a lake. But in several decades no change. So getting around it adds miles. One other reason I like an evening crossing. Winds usually die down and the navy has gone home. It's a pain for sure.

[thataway]

Probably the best search is "Whiskey Golf Military Range". This brings it right up to the top, and a bit more about the range, history etc.

We were especially concerned with WG when we took the sailboat North, because we often crossed from Nanaimo to the mainland at this point. At 6 knots it is a real drag to either go North or South of Zone WG.

Navionics and Garmin Blue Chart Apps for the I pad both show the precise outline of Whiskey Golf Military Range. So if you have the i pad aboard, no worry.

[starcrafttom]

Not to hi jack a thread but I find it funny that people don't think this is a good training area. Its mostly a sub training area from what I have been told. It's used to train the subs to hide and the targets to find them. That scenario is going to take place close to shore (50 to 5 miles) and in shallow water. (less then a 1000 ft) in a lot of places around the world. Add in the currents and different water layers from the large influx of fresh water in the area plus canyons and ship traffic and you have the perfect training area. Just my though on it.

My problem with listening to the marina radio report is that its 15 min long some times and i could have crossed WG in the time it took me to find out if its open or not. Last time I tried, years ago, someone started asking me question just as the report for closer came up and I missed it. Had to wait another 15 mins or so.

[starcrafttom]

pat, If you take the way point in the link above and add them to your Garmin and then save them as a track in red you will always know where WG is. I did this for all the boundaries between the different fishing areas once. That way I always know that i am not fishing in a closed area.

[C-jeep]

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is currently running exercises in Whisky Golf torpedo testing range at Nanoose. We just sae it anchored in Esquimalt outside Victoria. Impressive little ship.

[hardee]

I would make the VHF call to Winchel Sea Control.

REASON: You have Current (to the minute) info. AND you can give them your vessel name, position and course, for verification.

The information on VHF WX Channel 3 could be up to 4 hours old.

Good idea to make those waypoints into a route, and track it in RED. Nice tip.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Don and Brenda]

Waggoner's guide also explains how to get around and the proper course.

It was active both days we went through this trip, their patrol boat was hot to trot chasing someone down and told the offender to place the boat in neutral and the patrol boat would have a chat with them. Whinchelsea control is on channel 10 and will respond on 16 also. We were well inside the line but they had patrol planes and a helo up watching boats.

We were at Fisherman's a few days before the C-Bra gang showed up.

Don