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

[Chad Byworth]

Effective 26 May 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 1 NM of the wreck extending from SFC to 13,100 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) infringes upon the RNAV-1 transitions for London City and Biggin Hill. As such, aircraft will require tactical intervention to route clear of the RA(T):

• Inbounds via JACKO (subject to London City departures and the status of the Shoeburyness Danger Areas) may be routed through the northern portion of the RMA typically direct ATPEV/OSVEV.
• Inbounds via GODLU (and JACKO inbounds where a northern routing is unavailable) shall be radar vectored to position through the delegated MC CTA-8 and 3500:5500 section of the Thames RMA - this enables descent from 6000 ft to 4000 ft within the RMA confines. These inbounds can then be instructed to resume own navigation via ATPEV/OSVEV.

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).