[CPEO-MEF] BIOTA, MUNITIONS: "Whale Watch Capt upset by NAS Whidbey [WA} live ammunition training"

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Whale Watch Capt upset by NAS Whidbey live ammunition training

San Juan Islander (WA)
January 23, 2014

The U.S. Navy Whidbey Island conducted the fifth small arms training at its training range Tuesday, January 21. Live ammunition was used but was not fired into the water.

Public Affairs Officer Mike Welding said a 2,000 foot safety zone extends into the water in the event of a ricochet. Observers and cameras are stationed at the zone to ensure no people, vessels or marine life are in the area. No jets were participating in the small arms exercise. A separate flight operation training also took place Tuesday.

Pacific Whale Watch Association Captain Hobbes Buchanan contacted the U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday morning after hearing about the firing of ammunition on his marine radio.

"It was the United States Coast Guard, alerting people that live firing was about to commence off the west shore of Whidbey Island," said Capt. Buchanan, owner/operator of San Juan Island Whale & Wildlife Tours. "Live firing? I couldn't believe my ears. We had Southern Resident orcas out there!"

Capt. Buchanan contacted the Coast Guard on his radio and told them the Navy was firing 50-caliber rounds into the water and federally protected orcas were in the area. He demanded the Navy stand down. Buchanan believes his action stopped the training exercise.


…

For the entire article, see
http://www.sanjuanislander.com/island-newshome/more/rescues/8401-pwwa-capt-helps-halt-live-firing-exercise-believes-local-orcas-pods-in-area

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650-961-8918 or 650-969-1545
Fax: 650-961-8918
LSiegel@cpeo.org
http://www.cpeo.org




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