USS New Orleans, USS Halsey and USS Bunker Hill to arrive in Seattle July 31 for Seafair Fleet Week
Sailors on board the U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) will begin to arrive Tuesday, July 31 for the annual Seafair Festival. The ships will transit Elliott Bay and moor at Pier 90, Terminal 46N and Pier 66 respectively before 2 p.m.
USS New Orleans will take part in Seafair 2012 in place of USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52). On July 26, the San Diego-based amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor experienced a mechanical problem and will be unable to participate.
The three Navy ships, along with three Royal Canadian Navy ships, and one U.S. Coast Guard vessel, will be in Seattle to celebrate Seafair Fleet Week and the Boeing Maritime Celebration, a summer tradition in the Pacific Northwest since 1950. The vessels will be in the city through Aug. 5 offering public tours and participating in the annual festivities.
The Seattle visit offers the public an opportunity to tour on board the ships and meet Sailors as they showcase the ships' capabilities. It also gives citizens a chance to gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the Maritime Strategy and national defense of the United States.
The Fleet will participate in the Parade of Ships and Flight in Elliott Bay on Wednesday, Aug. 1 starting at approximately 1:45 p.m. Ships will be open for public tours Aug. 2-4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Aug. 5 from noon to 3:30 p.m. Due to other port operations at Pier 90/91, public tours on USS New Orleans will begin at noon Aug. 3-5.
When arriving for public tours, all visitors 18 years of age and older will be required to present government-issued photo identification. Visitors will also pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint prior to boarding the ships. For safety and security reasons, children under the age of eight will not be allowed on the ships for public tours. All visitors are subject to search prior to entering the security zone. Visitors are encouraged to bring as few items as possible when arriving for their tour, and are recommended to wear flat-heeled, closed-toe shoes.
Prohibited items on board include the following:
- Weapons, including knives, firearms and club weapons
- Defensive chemicals or sprays, including mace and pepper spray; spray cans of any type
- Fireworks, flammable liquids or other explosives
- Illegal drugs and/or drug-related paraphernalia
- Large bags, including backpacks, diaper bags and large camera bags (small camera bags and small handbags may be permitted, but will be subject to search)