Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitchawl
Do un-labeled ship routinely get fired upon in Ozzie waters? I would think have the name on the bow in both Japanese Kanji and Roman letters would be sufficient. Perhaps a name painted on the stern for sailboats?
Stitchawl
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Not that I know of. It seems they wanted to be identifed as a government vessel. In prior years it just had the name on the front and stern (see old photo when it was blue). Although I think previously it actually was a participant in whaling and therefore a target for protesters.
We were swooped by customs aeroplanes (I think they called us on the radio too) leaving through the barrier reef years ago, but not shot at. I think they were checking we weren't smugglers.
Although there was that very low round the island (I wet my pants) buzz by two FA18s (I think), when we were anchored off a bombing range near Townsville (A military/airforce town). they did not call us. I think they also wet their pants laughing at the fright we got. I nearly fell off the deck and spilled my rice bubbles.