https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-keXKSrmx0

USS Kearsarge entering Stockholm Harbour on a goodwill visit, steaming down a narrow passage without a tug in sight...

How incredible a sight is that?

The sight of a a great ship close-up is enough to give me the goosebumps.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tacfoley,

Impressive for sure.

Dang.....wonder what remained for clearance

That was impressive, based on my limited knowledge of ship-driving. The breeze indicated by the trees early in the video probably added a degree or two of difficulty to the transit.

Do they bring a Pilot aboard?

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Do they bring a Pilot aboard?

Normally, yes.

I am sure they brought a local Pilot on board, sub surfaces changes in any waterway are constant. I also expect that ship had bow and stern thrusters to aid in low speed maneuvering.

My niece receives her commission today. She is off to SWO Nuke school and then on to an aircraft carrier to run the reactor. Thanks for posting that.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
I am sure they brought a local Pilot on board, sub surfaces changes in any waterway are constant. I also expect that ship had bow and stern thrusters to aid in low speed maneuvering.

Yes, pilots are brought onboard, need the local knowledge to navigate their waters and communicate with the tugs; transit the Suez or in US waters, you need a pilot.
No on thrusters, US warships do not have thrusters, that's a feature-set more for cruise ships and cargo vessels, as they're constantly negotiating tight ports and basins. Thrusters add to the complication in the machinery space, for a warship, that space is better used for more necessary kit.

Nice driving!

quote:

Originally posted by FishOn:
My niece receives her commission today. She is off to SWO Nuke school and then on to an aircraft carrier to run the reactor. Thanks for posting that.

That's impressive about your niece.

As for the ship, that's "projection of US power" for you.

Looks like it could use a little paint.

The "Code" flag over the "H" flag on the STBD yardarm indicates a pilot is onboard.
Not sure what was up with those sound signals. The first 2 short means will meet oncoming vessel STBD to STBD. The second 2 were not short (1 second) or long (4-6 seconds). Maybe just "Hi Sweden!"

The power to weight ration of warships in general is MUCH greater than most merchant ships which gives them adequate maneuverability without a bow thruster. Additionally, tunnel thruster ports create significant drag, not so noticeable on a slow merchant ship but the faster you go, the drag increases exponentially. Also added cost, complexity, etc.
Two videos of ships departing Houston. Even where it looks like open water (Galveston Bay), the navigable channel is only about 100 yards wide. Look how close ships pass each other. (known as "Texas Chicken")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW9Frtkqy3Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVN5Sn35RTM

Haze gray and under weigh!

This must have been several years ago. People were using actual cameras. Not a cellphone being held up in sight.

quote:

Originally posted by ridgerat:
This must have been several years ago. People were using actual cameras. Not a cellphone being held up in sight.

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) passing Oxdjupet, Stockholm, June 5, 2022.

I agree, very impressive...

quote:

Originally posted by ridgerat:
This must have been several years ago. People were using actual cameras. Not a cellphone being held up in sight.

Half of them were phones.

Sweden is a good country to have on your side, as is Finland.

I'm happy that NATO has awakened to the Russian threat, and that Sweden and Finland are working toward joining NATO. Erdogan is causing a fuss, as Sweden is host to some Kurds not happy with Erdogan.

That's the ship, in a prior iteration, that my F-I-L, naval aviator, was assigned to way back when. IIRC, he and his shipmates had a reunion on this particular ship.