NAVAREA XII 719/26
PAN PANHazardous rocket launching areas off California on multiple nights 15-22 Oct
Warning text
Positions open on the mapLocation map
Open on the full mapAnalysisNotable
No longer in forceCancelled by 734/26 (archived)
Hazardous rocket launching operations will take place in two defined sea areas off the coast of California on multiple nights between 15 October and 22 October. Specific nightly windows are listed for Area A and Area B. Mariners should avoid the named areas during the stated periods. Message cancels itself at 220433Z OCT 26.
Avoid the named areas during the stated times and maintain a safe distance. Keep a sharp lookout and comply with any instructions from authorities.
Background (general knowledge, not from the warning)
These notices typically relate to launches from a West Coast launch site (likely Vandenberg Space Force Base or nearby facilities) where trajectories pass over the Pacific. Launch hazard areas are established to protect mariners from falling debris or stages jettisoned during ascent. The polygonal shapes and repeated nightly windows reflect planned launch attempts or a multi-day launch campaign with alternate launch opportunities. Mariners should be especially cautious during these times because ranges may be enforced and search-and-rescue resources may be active.
- Type
- Missile / rocket launch · severity high
- Feed
- Rocket launches and space debrisAll warnings of this kind on the map, or as an API feed.
- Location
- North Pacific, off California (two defined polygonal areas)
- Validity
- From 15 Oct 2026, 23:44 UTC
Until 22 Oct 2026, 04:33 UTCA. 152344Z TO 160407Z OCT ... 212250Z TO 220313Z OCT; B. 152344Z TO 160427Z OCT ... 212250Z TO 220333Z OCT. CANCEL THIS MSG 220433Z OCT 26. - Activity periods
- 15 Oct 2026, 23:44 UTC - 16 Oct 2026, 04:07 UTC (Area A nightly window 15-16 Oct)
- 16 Oct 2026, 23:35 UTC - 17 Oct 2026, 03:58 UTC (Area A nightly window 16-17 Oct)
- 17 Oct 2026, 23:26 UTC - 18 Oct 2026, 03:49 UTC (Area A nightly window 17-18 Oct)
- 18 Oct 2026, 23:17 UTC - 19 Oct 2026, 03:40 UTC (Area A nightly window 18-19 Oct)
- 19 Oct 2026, 23:08 UTC - 20 Oct 2026, 03:31 UTC (Area A nightly window 19-20 Oct)
- 20 Oct 2026, 22:59 UTC - 21 Oct 2026, 03:22 UTC (Area A nightly window 20-21 Oct)
- 21 Oct 2026, 22:50 UTC - 22 Oct 2026, 03:13 UTC (Area A nightly window 21-22 Oct)
- 15 Oct 2026, 23:44 UTC - 16 Oct 2026, 04:27 UTC (Area B nightly window 15-16 Oct)
- 16 Oct 2026, 23:35 UTC - 17 Oct 2026, 04:18 UTC (Area B nightly window 16-17 Oct)
- 17 Oct 2026, 23:26 UTC - 18 Oct 2026, 04:09 UTC (Area B nightly window 17-18 Oct)
- 18 Oct 2026, 23:17 UTC - 19 Oct 2026, 04:00 UTC (Area B nightly window 18-19 Oct)
- 19 Oct 2026, 23:08 UTC - 20 Oct 2026, 03:51 UTC (Area B nightly window 19-20 Oct)
- 20 Oct 2026, 22:59 UTC - 21 Oct 2026, 03:42 UTC (Area B nightly window 20-21 Oct)
- 21 Oct 2026, 22:50 UTC - 22 Oct 2026, 03:33 UTC (Area B nightly window 21-22 Oct)
- Hazards
- rocket launching operations, launch debris hazard, hazardous operations area
Coast stations for this area
- RCCMRCC EnsenadaMexico176 NM from the area
- RCCRCC AlamedaUnited States363 NM from the area
- DSCDSC Station EnsenadaMRCC EnsenadaMexicoMMSI 003450210VHF 80, MF 150range 150 NM175 NM from the area
- DSCDSC Station San FranciscoRCC AlamedaUnited StatesMMSI 003669990HF379 NM from the area
Worked out automatically from the warning text on 11 Oct 2026, 04:07 UTC; the background is general knowledge, not from the warning. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.
Keywordsrocket launchhazardous operations
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