IF you see a Royal Australian Navy frigate and a Seahawk helicopter letting off a volley of flares near Warrnambool tonight - don't panic.
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The HMAS Melbourne will pass about 800 metres off the coast en-route to Sydney at about 6pm tonight.
As she passes, a Seahawk helicopter will take off and release a short volley of flares.
HMAS Melbourne has close ties to Warrnambool.
Commanding officer Commander Brian Schlegel previously serving as the executive officer on the patrol boat HMAS Warrnambool and spent his childhood holidays in the area with relatives Bill and Lydia Sinclair.
The Navy says the best views will be from the Pavilion and Breakwater area from 6pm.
jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au