USS George H W Bush Carrier in Solent next weekend

[Paul Cannell]

Should be arriving the 27th. The Aircraft Carrier is currently taking part in Exercise Saxon Warrior off the Western Approaches.

[dowdy]

Originally Posted by Paul Cannell

Should be arriving the 27th. The Aircraft Carrier is currently taking part in Exercise Saxon Warrior off the Western Approaches.

And 9 months later another"fleet" will arrive,lock up your daughters.

[zookeeper]

Do you know how long she will be staying?

[Paul Cannell]

Sorry Zookeeper I don't know how long for!
Other ships in the carrier fleet/exercise are scheduled to be in Portsmouth on 27 May 2011

SPS Almiranted Juan de Borbon F 103, Portsmouth. Ex Saxon Warrior

USS Truxtun DDG 103, Portsmouth. Ex Saxon Warrior

USS George HW Bush CVN 77, Solent. Ex Saxon Warrior

USS Gettysburg CG 64, Devonport. Ex Saxon Warrior

USS Anzio CG 68, TBA. Ex Saxon Warrior

USS Mitscher DDG 57, TBA. Ex Saxon Warrior

[tonymac]

And don't go too close !

[marinesafety]

The bars near the dockyard were "interesting" last time one of these carriers came in about this time two years ago. First time I have ever seen armed MOD plod on the doors at Tiger Tiger!!

[Starovich]

MOD plod used to be on the door of "Bar Me" in Guildhall walk every weekend night.

I know as I used to throw sailors direct in the back of the van.
We tried not to let their feet hit pavement

Always most fractious when both carriers were in dock, shame that's not going to be possible for till at least 2020.

[D Mainwaring]

there's big and then there's BIG - it will eclipse the Isle of Wight!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Geo...._Bush_(CVN-77

Queen's Harbour Master - Local Notices To Mariners

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS
No 39/11
VISIT OF A NUCLEAR POWERED VESSEL TO THE SOLENT 27 – 31 MAY 2011
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth that between 27 and 31 May 2011 a nuclear powered military warship will conduct a formal visit to Portsmouth. During this period, the nuclear vessel will be anchored at “C Anchorage” in the Central Solent.

Mariners are advised that the nuclear vessel is deemed to be “a vessel constrained by her draught” as defined under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS Rule 3(f) and 18) and is to be considered a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway (COLREGS Rule 9) at all times when underway within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth.

Mariners are further advised that LNTM 07/11 (Dormant Exclusion Zone for Underway Warships) will be activated for the entry and departure of the nuclear vessel. In summary all vessels except those involved in the escort are to remain 250 metres clear of the nuclear vessel whilst it is underway. VTS Southampton, acting with QHM’s authority, will direct commercial traffic to keep outside this zone. Warning broadcasts will be made on VHF Channels 11, 12 and 16 as appropriate and the escort vessels will show blue flashing lights.

Whilst at anchor there will be a 250 metre Exclusion Zone in place around the nuclear vessel, which will be enforced by Ministry of Defence Police. Only vessels authorised by QHM will be allowed to enter this zone.

For the duration of the visit, miscellaneous service craft will be berthed alongside the nuclear vessel and mariners passing C Anchorage should amend their passage plans to ensure they avoid the restricted area. Vessels navigating in the vicinity are to maintain a listening watch on VHF and are to be aware of the effects of their wake and are to reduce speed accordingly.

Cancel this Local Notice To Mariners Wed 1st Jun 2011 (6 days)
Fri 20th May 2011
Semaphore Tower
HM Naval Base, Portsmouth. N J Hare
Commander Royal Navy
Queen's Harbour Master

[John Kennett]

Eight mentions of this ship's power source in six paragraphs seems a little obsessive. Have the RN got reactor envy perhaps?

[Burtox]

Would they shoot you if you get too close?

[Paul Cannell]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Eight mentions of this ship's power source in six paragraphs seems a little obsessive. Have the RN got reactor envy perhaps?

Glowing green with envy??

[Andy B]

Originally Posted by Burtox

Would they shoot you if you get too close?

There yanks! what do you think

[TIMO]

Originally Posted by Andy B

There yanks! what do you think

Trigger happy ex pats

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Burtox

Would they shoot you if you get too close?

I did a white shark cage diving trip at Isla Guadalupe off the Mexican Coast a few years back; on return to San Diego, we were overtaken by a USN Destroyer Escort. While the Navy assets get a 1/4 mile exclusion zone, they apparently can ignore it at will, as they overtook us and passed within about 100 yds of the boat we were on (a 96 foot offshore fishing boat.) Don't remember the hull number or name of the ship, but I do remember that they had a pair of sailors on each corner of the boat, one with binoculars, and the other on what appeared to be an M2 .50 cal machine gun. Several sailboats got a little closer than they should have, and would generally get two of the machine guns trained on them until they had opened the distance a bit. I have no doubts that the guns were ready to go.

To answer the question, the bottom line is "Yes". After the USS Cole incident, and the realization that ships are vulnerable to attack from small surface craft, I wouldn't test their resolve.

jky

[ivotech]

Reminds me of the visit of the USS Nimitz to Spithead in the 70s. I was working as a crew on the Portsmouth Harbour trip boats and we ran trips off Southsea beach to see her; twice round the ship at about 30 metres distance and then back for another load; about 30 people in a 15 metre harbour trip boat. On the last trip we were crossing the ship's bow at slow speed when we were somewhat surprised to see both anchors come out of the water. We hit the throttles, they waited for us, and we got across safely. 100,000 tons of carrier then just took off completely silently and accelerated past us, I suppose they wanted to demonstrate to the spectator fleet just how fast those things can go. Breathed a sigh of relief but then nearly lost it in the prop. wash; like white water rafting. Passengers thought it was wonderful, but the driver and I were a little thoughtful for a while! The modern 250 metre exclusion zone seems a little tame by comparison!!

CJ

[PeterM]

250 metres ????

oh well...Teddy R in the solent in 2009....police were fine

[bradosh]

Originally Posted by Andy B

There yanks! what do you think

aiming friendly fire at me. missing of course and popping my tubes

is a scary thought having to put a patch on mi rib

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by PeterM

250 metres ????

oh well...Teddy R in the solent in 2009....police were fine

They got noticeably twitchy when me and Biggles headed straight towards a yank destroyer in April 2007 though.They started heading towards us quite fast at half a mile. We were only trying to make it an easier ride back in a big sea by doglegging.

[Dry Run]

Have had the pleasure of seeing several USS "whatevers" in the Solent over the past few years. Best/Worst memory was using a friends RIB in a "squally" rain cloud. Found myself heading for the shelter of a US carrier in a RIB called "Miss Isle" - lived to tell the tale!!!!!

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by PeterM

250 metres ????

oh well...Teddy R in the solent in 2009....police were fine

They really are huge the Yank carriers. I've been on Illustrious and a couple of Destroyers & Frigates, and they are tiny in comparison!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...%28R_06%29.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...olk1_1978.jpeg