KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
This chart shows the 2,520-square-nautical-mile exclusionary zone that will be enforced by the Coast Guard later this week. Chart courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
The Coast Guard is establishing an exclusionary zone off Narrow Cape late this week in anticipation of the launch at the Kodiak Launch Complex. The zone will extend roughly 100 miles southeast of Narrow Cape covering about 2,500 square nautical miles.
A joint NASA/Air Force mission is scheduled to launch an unmanned four-stage orbital rocket at 4:24 p.m. Friday. The safety zone will be in effect during the launch windows from 3:37 p.m. to 5:54 p.m. Friday through Sunday. It includes both air and water.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Matthew Zinn explains the reasoning for setting up the no-go zone off Narrow Cape and Ugak Island.
— (zone 1 :17 "If something does go wrong … and the crew onboard.")
Coast Guard boats and aircraft will be enforcing the exclusionary zone and monitoring VHF Channel 16 to warn boats not to approach the area. Zinn says skippers would do well to respect the safety zone and stay clear.
— (zone 2 :14 "If the vessels go into that … possible criminal penalties.")
But it likely won’t come to that as the Coast Guard has posted information at the Kodiak Harbormaster’s Office.
— (zone 3 :19 "The role of the Coast Guard … their overall safety.")
The Air Station will also send out aerial patrols of the safety zone as well as provide real-time weather updates for the launch. The Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Detachment can answer questions about the exclusionary zone. That number is 486-5918.
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