Spot a drone? The Navy wants to know

BAYVIEW — The U.S. Navy’s Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, on Lake Pend Oreille, wants the local community’s help in reporting unauthorized drone flights in the vicinity of the base. Drones flown near military operational areas pose a hazard to safety and security for both the Navy and the local community.

In an email, Roxie Merritt, a retired U.S. Navy captain who now serves as director of corporate communications for the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Carderock Division in Bethesda, Md., said there have been some issues involving drones near the Navy’s operations in Bayview.

“Not too long ago, a couple of drones collided over the facility which could have potentially injured anyone working on the ground or on the lake when they came down,” Merritt said.

Drone pilots are responsible for abiding by Federal Aviation Administration regulations and remaining clear of military facilities. Failure to comply could result in criminal prosecution.

Citizens seeing or hearing drones over the ARD Bayview installation area are requested to report it to the Navy’s Regional Dispatch Center at (360) 396-4444. Helpful information includes:

• Date and time of sighting

• Location. Includes direction it’s flying, landmarks, current street intersections.

• Description. Approximate size, number of propellers, fixed or rotary wing, color.

• Information about the drone operator. Name, physical description, make of vehicle, license plate number.

• Photograph or video of the person flying the drone

The Navy appreciates the community’s assistance in this matter.

The Navy’s Acoustic Research Detachment is a part of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, headquartered in West Bethesda, Md. ARD Bayview conducts large model submarine and surface vessel tests and experiments supporting stealth technologies for current and future Navy submarines and ships.