active 2025-05-26 - Thames Group (EGLC/EGKB/EGMC) and TC South - Restricted Area (Temporary): SS Richard Montgomery

[Chad Byworth]

Temporary Instruction amended on 26 DEC 2025 following revision to the RA(T) - see updated TI below.

[Chad Byworth]

Effective 26 Dec 2025 - UFN

Introduction
A Restricted Area (Temporary) has been established overhead the site of the SS Richard Montgomery wreck. The RA(T) is that volume of airspace within 0.5 NM of the wreck extending from SFC to 13,200 ft and has been established to safeguard aircraft in the event of an inadvertent detonation of munitions within the wreck.

On VATSIM, controllers may optionally decide to simulate the following procedures.

The RA(T) is located in the Thames Estuary adjacent to fix GAPGI and interacts with the TC Thames and Southend APC RMAs as well as TC South sector. The RA(T) is depicted in red in the figure below alongside the TC Thames RMA:

TC Thames
The RA(T) is clear of, but in close proximity to, the RNAV-1 transitions for London City and Biggin Hill. As such, TC Thames shall apply the following procedures:
Traffic issued a direct routing must join the transition either at RAVSA or ATPEV. Traffic must not be issued a direct routing to GAPGI.
Traffic joining at RAVSA must join from an angle between the JACKO-RAVSA or GODLU-RAVSA extended tracks.
Traffic routing on the transition shall be radar monitored from RAVSA until it has passed clear abeam the RA(T). Any traffic observed to deviate from the the transition must be issued an immediate radar heading to track it clear of the RA(T).

London City outbound traffic routing via SOQQA-SODVU-EKNIV may remain on own navigation in accordance with the current Standing Agreement with TC South.

Southbound Southend departures via DET will be positioned by Southend APC on an appropriate radar heading through the EKNIV gate that remains clear of the RA(T).

Southend APC
Southbound departures via DET may depart on own navigation but must be radar monitored by APC. All radar headings through the EKNIV gate must track clear of the RA(T).

TC South
The RA(T) is located in the south-eastern portion of the SODVU box and London City departures must not be issued any direct routings that would cause them to enter the RA(T). For example, SODVU DCT DVR would penetrate the RA(T).