Stay away, yachties warned, as Exercise Talisman Sabre turns Shoalwater Bay into live-fire danger zone
The exercise is the largest bilateral military training activity between Australia and the US. (Supplied: Department of Defence)
In short:
Yachties are warned to keep well clear of a major exclusion zone at Shoalwater Bay for Exercise Talisman Sabre.
The exercise involves 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations and is the largest training activity between the ADF and US military involving live ammunition.
What's next?
Yachts and crews from around the country are expected in the region for two of Queensland's biggest yacht races.
Authorities are warning hundreds of yachties cruising along the Queensland coast to steer clear of a major military exclusion zone where combat simulations with live ammunition are taking place.
It comes just weeks before two of Queensland's biggest yacht racing events.
A marine danger area alert at Shoalwater Bay on the Capricorn Coast is in effect until July 17 as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre, which involves 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations.
It is the largest combined training activity between the Australian Defence Force and United States military involving live firing and combat simulations across land, sea and air.
Naval exercises, including beach landings, will be under way in the marine exclusion zone until July 17. (Supplied: Department of Defence)
There is no safe anchorage for vessels for about 100 nautical miles from Yeppoon north to the Percy Island group during the exercise.
Depending on the weather, a trip of that distance could take days.
A Department of Defence spokesperson said naval vessels could be operating close to shore, with smaller craft travelling between ships and beach landing sites by day and night.
"Mariners are advised not to anchor or navigate within 500 metres of vessels involved in Exercise Talisman Sabre unless otherwise exempted by Maritime Safety Queensland or Queensland Police," the spokesperson said.
Yeppoon Coast Guard skipper Jim Warren said boaties risked hefty fines or worse if they entered the exclusion zone.
"Anybody who is caught in the area or noticed … can be fined or imprisoned," Mr Warren said.
"They are very serious about it because they are firing live ammunition.
"Our guys have been going over to the anchorages at Great Keppel Island and talking to all the yachties and taking the printed notices over to them.
"Some of them didn't even know the existence of a notice to mariners, let alone that there was an exercise up there."
Notices to mariners are published on the Queensland government's website.
Mr Warren said it was the largest exclusion zone for Talisman Sabre he had seen and urged people to plot trips up and down the coast carefully.
Middle Percy Island off the central Queensland coast is a safe anchorage for vessels. (ABC Capricornia: Ellie Willcox)
"There are hundreds of yachts heading north," he said.
"They've got to take a long stretch and it won't be pleasant if [the wind] blows up."
The Gold Coast-to-Mackay Yacht Race begins on August 1, followed by Airlie Beach Race Week a week later.
About 150 entrants are expected for Airlie Beach Race Week. (Supplied: Airlie Beach Race Week)
Airlie Beach Race Week chair Terry Archer said there would be a lot of activity along Queensland's coast during the peak period.
"We are effectively a winter wonderland for the southern states to come and visit,"Mr Archer said.
"Some of the early birds will need to be aware of [the exclusion zone].
"The good news is, it ends prior to the Gold Coast-to-Mackay race passing through that area."
Mr Archer said 150 entrants from across the country were expected to take part in Airlie Beach Race Week, which attracts thousands of visitors, including many who sail in to watch.