Expect fast-moving patrol boats near Esquimalt Lagoon and Royal Roads, and sirens and verbal commands from loud hailers, as Maritime Forces Pacific’s naval-security team conducts training in the waters near the Royal Roads navy buoy Thursday and Friday.
The boats will not come close to shore, and will be in a controlled-access zone out of bounds to the public, MARPAC said in a statement. Blank ammunition will be fired as part of the exercise, set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, it said.
“Every effort has been made to limit the impact of this exercise on our neighbours in the surrounding community,” the statement says. “But the need to simulate this training in a realistic manner is vital to ensuring our sailors are trained to the highest level.”
If whales or other marine animals are seen in the area being used, training will be stopped until they are at a safe distance, MARPAC said.
