Statement. Ministry of Border Security and Defence
Statement on the Coral Island Air Defence Identification Zone
What pilots and masters must do when approaching Coral Island, and what each border status means.
Coral Island's airspace and waters are divided into three zones, measured from the Government reference point at the centre of the island:
| Zone | Distance | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Surveillance area | 3.5 km | Aircraft and vessels are tracked by Coral Control. |
| Air Defence Identification Zone | 2.5 km | Aircraft and vessels without clearance are hailed and must turn back or request clearance. |
| Sovereign airspace and waters | 1.5 km | Aircraft and vessels without clearance receive a final warning and may be engaged. |
The border status sets how the Defence Force responds:
- Open: craft are tracked but not challenged.
- Alert: craft without clearance are hailed and warned, and may be engaged on the order of the duty officer.
- Closed: craft without clearance are hailed, given three warnings and then engaged automatically.
During a lockdown every craft without clearance is warned at shorter intervals and engaged.
The safe course is always the same: request clearance before you travel, answer Coral Control, and turn back when told to. Anyone who lands without clearance must report to the border desk at Government House.