By Dan Marshall

Marine testing by CFMETR in Whiskey Gulf off Nanoose

Jul 14, 2016 | 9:34 AM

Military exercises are underway in the waters off Nanoose bay this week.

Lieutenant Commander Trent Nichols with the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges says boaters should avoid the area of the Whiskey Gulf.

“CFMETR routinely conducts safety testing and we always put out a notice,” said Nichols. “This week we are conducting a test, mariners will note a rather large American support vessel on the range and with it Whiskey Gulf is closed.”

Nichols says their marine exercises in the Whiskey Gulf will run from 6am to 6pm.

“That is a military testing evaluation area.  We fire torpedos there, we launch sonobuoys there, we test all maner of acoustic warfare devices.  However these are all exercise devices and nothing goes ‘boom’ at CFMETR.”

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Boaters can get updates on access to the area at VHF channel 10, as exercises will continue throughout the week.