MoD warning to steer clear of huge swathe of sea for 3 weeks of trials
PEOPLE are being warned to stay out of a large part of the sea off the Welsh coast for a period of three weeks for safety reasons.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is conducting trials off the west coast of Wales, in the Cardigan Bay area, which will include “one of the biggest weapon safety traces” used by the British Government.
The stretch where they are asking people to stay out of the water covers a huge part of the sea off West Wales – from a few miles north of Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, stretching all along Ceredigion and up towards Bardsey Island off Llŷn.
This includes the sea off popular Welsh tourists spots such as Llangrannog, New Quay and Aberaeron.
As a result of the trials, which are expected to run between 9am and 4.30pm every weekday for three weeks, sailors, fishing crew and anyone who would enter the sea in the mapped area in the picture is urged not to do so.
A message from MoD Aberporth has been sent to activity clubs along the stretch in question. A spokesman for the MoD said last week: “We have a trial activity coming up which starts on June 6, running for three weeks (unless if they complete earlier).
Unfortunately this trial has one of the biggest weapon safety traces that we use, which results in us needing to keep most of the bay clear of shipping.
“Hopefully the map gives you an idea the size of the safety trace (yellow circle – 18NM), and we realise that it is a lot to ask but can you remain clear of this area from 9am through to 4.30pm each weekday (not weekends).
“We realise that the sailing season is now getting under way and that you have a lot of activities planned, but can we ask that you make your members aware of our trial activity and ask that they steer around the safety area during this period please.”
The MoD spokesman added that they will be making hourly broadcasts on IMM channel 16 and 11 throughout the days in question, and that anyone who wishes for more information should contact them on 01239 813 760.