PHUKET, Thailand – More than 5,000 US Navy personnel began coming ashore in Phuket on October 4 after two US Navy ships anchored offshore for a five-day visit, giving sailors time to visit local tourist destinations and enjoy the island. The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) aircraft carrier and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) guided-missile destroyer arrived off Phuket early on October 4. The vessels anchored about 1.78 nautical miles, or 3.3 kilometres, from Phuket Deep Sea Port.
The aircraft carrier is carrying about 4,820 personnel, while the destroyer has around 289 personnel, bringing the total number of sailors and other personnel aboard the two vessels to about 5,109.
Sailors began leaving the ships and travelling ashore to visit various attractions around Phuket during their rest period. Fourteen transport boats are being used to move personnel between the ships and the port area.
The Phuket Marine Office is coordinating maritime operations during the visit, while police and other authorities are supporting security and traffic management as sailors travel around the island.
The port visit is scheduled to continue through October 9. During their stay, US Navy personnel are expected to spend time at local restaurants, shops and tourist attractions before returning to their ships. The visit comes as Phuket continues to welcome international visitors and cruise and maritime traffic, with local authorities coordinating arrangements to ensure the movement of personnel between the offshore vessels and the island runs smoothly.
