GL: Canadian Navy Shooting on the Great Lakes

[James Keen]

A short true story of the Canadian Navy shooting on Lake Ontario.
   
  On July 12th, 2005, I was westbound in my 32ft s/v IRISH MIST in calm seas but reduced visibility of heavy haze on a 37nm run from Port Colbourg to Toronto, about 5-8 miles offshore of the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario. I heard a call on the VHF warning of live firing exercise at a GPS coordinate. I glanced a my GPS and was suprised to find I was close to the shooting area. I called, reporting my GPS position and after a pregant pause, the startled reply asked me to "CLEAR QUICKLY TO THE WEST." The Canadian Navy was apparently unaware of my presence although I would have thought they could easily see me on radar. 
   
  Shortly, a large eastbound Canadian destroyer dimly appeared on a parallel opposing course like a gray ghost ship in heavy haze some distance to the north. After a short period, several volleys of aerial fire blasted me with a loud sound report ("pop, pop, pop" and "boom, boom. boom") as the aerial bursts sounds washed over my vessel. The exercise continued for several long minutes.
   
  Live firing exercises DO take place on the Great Lakes. I was in no danger, I think, however it was one of those exciting days on my loop.
   
  Wish I was still on the GL with you lucky loopers.
   
  later



 
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