The Nimitz is coming : Now Docked!

tsk1979 · 25th June 2007, 14:06

Guess what, one of the largest nuclear powered Aircraft carriers in the world, the USS Nimitz is coming to Chennai from July 1 to July 5.
The Port workers are not happy, since its a nuclear powered carrier
US warship's proposed visit triggers fears-India-The Times of India
Its going to become a big tourist attraction.

csentil · 25th June 2007, 14:42

Would common folks like us be allowed to go and see it? I'm willing to go to Chennai to take a look at it if allowed !!!

tsk1979 · 25th June 2007, 14:57

It will be in the Port and will be visible from quite a distance. Though how near would they allow you to get is another story.

Mayavi · 25th June 2007, 21:52

If the Nimitz is there for a war game, then you may not get permission to board but if it is making a port of call, then there will defintely be visitor hours. You will most probably get a guided tour and also get to meet the personnel. Just go to the the US navy's webpage and check for timings.

Sideways · 25th June 2007, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

It will be in the Port and will be visible from quite a distance. Though how near would they allow you to get is another story.

No Tanveer, it's gonna be anchored outside the port. I don't think we have the draft to handle this vessel. And since it's going to be on outer anchorage it will be visible from the beach. Thats the closest any tourist is going to get to the Nimitz.

tsk1979 · 26th June 2007, 01:13

Somebody from the gang has an excellent 70-200L lens for such things I guess.

Godfather · 4th July 2007, 08:02

Chennai Bhpiians.. any possibilities of Pics??

NDTV.com: USS Nimitz to dock off Chennai coast

The USS Nimitz, one of the world's largest aircraft carriers, will dock in the waters off the Chenani port on Monday.
The nuclear powered carrier is causing quite a storm in India with the Left expressing concern.
But US officials have refused to confirm or deny whether there are nuclear weapons on board.
For earlier generations of Indians, the idea of a US aircraft carrier is the idea of the enemy.
In 1971, the USS Enterprise was sent into the Bay of Bengal to deliver a warning to the Indian government as it was close to winning the war with Pakistan.
However, this time when the Nimitz anchors off Chennai harbour it will be in a friendly port.
But the fact that this ship is the world's largest nuclear powered super carrier means that the historic port of call - a first for a US warship in India - is not without controversy.
The Left particularly has been the loudest in their opposition to a nuclear weapons capable warship anchoring in Indian waters.
The Government of India has assured that the Nimitz will not have any weapons on board when it docks off Chennai. The ECS is also there to ensure that there is no hazard from the Nimitz in the seas off Chennai.
Meanwhile, Navy Chief Admiral Suresh Mehta played down concerns on radiation from the USS Nimitz saying all set procedures to check against radiation from the gigantic nuclear-powered aircraft carrier have been followed.
''It is the Government of India's job to see that the safety of the people is ensured. There are set procedures for it.
These have been followed in this case and there is nothing to worry,'' said Suresh Mehta.
No reason to worry
Crew and Commanders say in the ship's 30-year history there has never been any incident and there is no reason to worry.
However, on board the Nimitz such black and white clarifications on the presence of nuclear weapons are not forthcoming.
''Our policy is that we do not deploy nuclear weapons on board routinely on ships, attack submarines or aircraft but
I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of these weapons on individual ship's attack submarines or aircraft,'' said Admiral John Terence Blake, Commander, Nimitz Strike Group 11.
A comment that is likely to generate even more controversy especially as the Nimitz has just come back
after exercises off the coast of Iran delivering a not so subtle message to the Iranian government.
''Our mission was two fold, to promote security and stability in the region.
We were deployed as part of operation enduring freedom for Afghanistan and operation Iraqi freedom,'' said Captain Michael Manazir, Commander, USS Nimitz.
''We even operated with Iranian assets elements of the Iranian Navy. Everything else is speculation,'' he added.
For years, the American Navy's aircraft carriers have projected the power of the US across the world and have also been instruments of US foreign policy.
And so the way the US and Indian governments now see it, the arrival of the Nimitz in Indian waters is a reflection of the changed paradigm in Indo-US relations.

Godfather

esteem_lover · 4th July 2007, 08:28

Yes, the crew have been all over the place doing social work. Unfortunately, their water taxi that was docked in the port has sunk due to some leak.

Godfather · 4th July 2007, 08:59

Water taxi?? was that a part of NIMITZ or a local ferry?

Godfather

esteem_lover · 4th July 2007, 09:06

It was on hire from a singapore logistics company & being used by the Nimitz crew to shuttle between the ship & the shore since the ship is anchored 2 miles off the coast.

appuchan · 4th July 2007, 14:49

Hope the marines will not have to swim back 2 miles

The specs of this ship looks interesting. See a snapshot below.

Length: Overall: 1,092 ft (333 m)
Waterline: 1,040 ft (317 m)
Beam: Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m)
Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m)

Propulsion: 2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors
4 × steam turbines
4 × shafts
260,000 shp (194 MW)

Speed: 30+ knots (56+ km/h)
Range: Essentially unlimited
...

WhiteKnight · 4th July 2007, 15:00

Just curious. Where is the rest of the battle group? No talk in TV or newspapers about those.
If not the full group, atleast Nimitz should be accompanied by its supply ship as well as couple of Frigates and a Submarine.

Rtech · 4th July 2007, 15:01

What i don't get is the issue made about it being a nuclear powered ship. Also, are they seriously worried that they are carrying nuclear missiles? I mean c'mon!

theMAG · 4th July 2007, 15:33

Any 3-headed frogs washing up ashore?

theMAG · 4th July 2007, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteKnight

Just curious. Where is the rest of the battle group? No talk in TV or newspapers about those.
If not the full group, atleast Nimitz should be accompanied by its supply ship as well as couple of Frigates and a Submarine.

They must be partying off Goa

25th June 2007, 14:06	#1
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	The Nimitz is coming : Now Docked! Guess what, one of the largest nuclear powered Aircraft carriers in the world, the USS Nimitz is coming to Chennai from July 1 to July 5. The Port workers are not happy, since its a nuclear powered carrier US warship's proposed visit triggers fears-India-The Times of India Its going to become a big tourist attraction.
	() Thanks

25th June 2007, 14:42	#2
csentil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,349 Thanked: 38 Times View My Garage	Would common folks like us be allowed to go and see it? I'm willing to go to Chennai to take a look at it if allowed !!!
	() Thanks

25th June 2007, 14:57	#3
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	It will be in the Port and will be visible from quite a distance. Though how near would they allow you to get is another story.
	() Thanks

25th June 2007, 21:52	#4
Mayavi BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 682 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage	If the Nimitz is there for a war game, then you may not get permission to board but if it is making a port of call, then there will defintely be visitor hours. You will most probably get a guided tour and also get to meet the personnel. Just go to the the US navy's webpage and check for timings.
	() Thanks

26th June 2007, 01:13	#6
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Somebody from the gang has an excellent 70-200L lens for such things I guess.
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 08:02	#7
Godfather Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore / Atlanta Posts: 1,387 Thanked: 70 Times View My Garage	USS NIMITZ docked in Chennai Port Chennai Bhpiians.. any possibilities of Pics?? NDTV.com: USS Nimitz to dock off Chennai coast The USS Nimitz, one of the world's largest aircraft carriers, will dock in the waters off the Chenani port on Monday. The nuclear powered carrier is causing quite a storm in India with the Left expressing concern. But US officials have refused to confirm or deny whether there are nuclear weapons on board. For earlier generations of Indians, the idea of a US aircraft carrier is the idea of the enemy. In 1971, the USS Enterprise was sent into the Bay of Bengal to deliver a warning to the Indian government as it was close to winning the war with Pakistan. However, this time when the Nimitz anchors off Chennai harbour it will be in a friendly port. But the fact that this ship is the world's largest nuclear powered super carrier means that the historic port of call - a first for a US warship in India - is not without controversy. The Left particularly has been the loudest in their opposition to a nuclear weapons capable warship anchoring in Indian waters. The Government of India has assured that the Nimitz will not have any weapons on board when it docks off Chennai. The ECS is also there to ensure that there is no hazard from the Nimitz in the seas off Chennai. Meanwhile, Navy Chief Admiral Suresh Mehta played down concerns on radiation from the USS Nimitz saying all set procedures to check against radiation from the gigantic nuclear-powered aircraft carrier have been followed. ''It is the Government of India's job to see that the safety of the people is ensured. There are set procedures for it. These have been followed in this case and there is nothing to worry,'' said Suresh Mehta. No reason to worry Crew and Commanders say in the ship's 30-year history there has never been any incident and there is no reason to worry. However, on board the Nimitz such black and white clarifications on the presence of nuclear weapons are not forthcoming. ''Our policy is that we do not deploy nuclear weapons on board routinely on ships, attack submarines or aircraft but I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of these weapons on individual ship's attack submarines or aircraft,'' said Admiral John Terence Blake, Commander, Nimitz Strike Group 11. A comment that is likely to generate even more controversy especially as the Nimitz has just come back after exercises off the coast of Iran delivering a not so subtle message to the Iranian government. ''Our mission was two fold, to promote security and stability in the region. We were deployed as part of operation enduring freedom for Afghanistan and operation Iraqi freedom,'' said Captain Michael Manazir, Commander, USS Nimitz. ''We even operated with Iranian assets elements of the Iranian Navy. Everything else is speculation,'' he added. For years, the American Navy's aircraft carriers have projected the power of the US across the world and have also been instruments of US foreign policy. And so the way the US and Indian governments now see it, the arrival of the Nimitz in Indian waters is a reflection of the changed paradigm in Indo-US relations. Godfather
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 08:28	#8
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Yes, the crew have been all over the place doing social work. Unfortunately, their water taxi that was docked in the port has sunk due to some leak.
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 08:59	#9
Godfather Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore / Atlanta Posts: 1,387 Thanked: 70 Times View My Garage	Water taxi?? was that a part of NIMITZ or a local ferry? Godfather
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 09:06	#10
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	It was on hire from a singapore logistics company & being used by the Nimitz crew to shuttle between the ship & the shore since the ship is anchored 2 miles off the coast.
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 14:49	#11
appuchan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangy Posts: 642 Thanked: 27 Times	Hope the marines will not have to swim back 2 miles The specs of this ship looks interesting. See a snapshot below. Length: Overall: 1,092 ft (333 m) Waterline: 1,040 ft (317 m) Beam: Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m) Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m) Propulsion: 2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 × steam turbines 4 × shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW) Speed: 30+ knots (56+ km/h) Range: Essentially unlimited ...
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 15:00	#12
WhiteKnight BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 999 Thanked: 662 Times View My Garage	Just curious. Where is the rest of the battle group? No talk in TV or newspapers about those. If not the full group, atleast Nimitz should be accompanied by its supply ship as well as couple of Frigates and a Submarine.
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 15:01	#13
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	What i don't get is the issue made about it being a nuclear powered ship. Also, are they seriously worried that they are carrying nuclear missiles? I mean c'mon!
	() Thanks

4th July 2007, 15:33	#14
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Any 3-headed frogs washing up ashore?
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