USS CONSTELLATION INFORMATION 8/12/14
August 12, 2014
In answer to some of your questions:
We are towing between 80 and 200 miles offshore depending on currents and weather.
We will be transiting South of Santa Barbara Island outside of the shipping lanes and heading straight into Long Beach.
At this time it is we will be going to the outer anchorage (Anchorage F) at Long Beach.
The best views of the “Connie” will be from Ocean Boulevard between Belmont Shores and Downtown.
Boats can be taken out to take pictures but need to keep a 500-yard distance.
Are you still planning a 7am arrival at Long Beach? How long in port?
So far they are holding to their ETA on 8/19 at 07:00. They will only be in port long enough to take fuel and clear customs.
How long will it take to fuel then. A few former crew members are planning on chartering a boat at 11am on the 19th. Is this a safe bet?
Fueling will take one day and at present time, the ETA is 8/18/14 at 08:00.
Thanks so much for your updates for the Connie and the Corbin Foss. After fueling in Long Beach, where will she be refueling after that on her long trip around the tip of S. America ?
Next fuel stop will be Balboa, Panama
How do you anchor? Do you use the ships anchor? And if so, how do you hoist it?
We will anchor on the tow gear. We will only use the ship’s anchor in an emergency and the anchors can be hoisted by a generator on the flight deck.
What is your timing of crew changes? and at which ports
At this time crew changes are planned for Port Arenas, Chile.
Hi, Thanks for giving us an opportunity of seeing the Conestellation one last time. Just like the Forrestal, another carrier I served on, I wish I could walk her decks again but I realize that wont happen as 100K more people would be wanting the same lol. Could you post a couple photos of her on this site during the tow please. Possibly from the bridge of the ship, front or side view would be nice too. Thanks. I will be heading to LB to see her. I hope your crew has a safe voyage.
Thank you, Dave for your comments. We will be posting photos during the tow, but we won’t be putting any crew members on board the ship while towing. We would be only putting crew on the ship in the case of an emergency.
Who is Mary Beedle?
I know Capt. Dwaine Whitney is the Capt and he is also the same captain who did the USS Forrestal tow
Mary Beedle is our Operations Control Manager and has many years of experience in domestic and international vessel operations and logistics.
I fully understand why no one is allowed on her except those needed to ensure a safe trip. I only wish that when a inactivated ship is determined to be scrapped, the Navy would allow those who served aboard her one last opportunity to allow them to walk her decks. Perhaps the Navy might look in to that possibility. I hope that the vast majority of the steel that is used in these carriers will find their way back in to other warships like the new Ford Class. LOL I can see the nickname already for the ford class ships. Anyways Have a safe trip to Texas!!
Hi, will the ship be arriving in LB on Monday 8-18-14 or Tuesday 8-19-14? Im planning to come see it and Im a little unsure of the arrival date. Thanks!
Today’s daily report from the vessel is giving ETA Long Beach of 8/18/2014 08:00
What is your ETA for Brownsville?
At this time we can only give a rough ETA for Brownsville which would be on or about the end of November.
Any update on the time/date of arrival to LB?
ETA 12:00 8/18/14
I’m here and she is not.
Arrived Long Beach F-15 at 12:30 this afternoon; three of our assist tugs are standing by her while the Corbin Foss takes fuel.
Served aboard Constellation 1963-66 (far East & Vietnam). Visited her again when she was overhauled in Philadelphia. Please post some pictures during the tow. Sad to see her scrapped.
The USC crew boat servicing the Wrigley Marine Science Center just crossed in front (4 miles off) the VTS traffic lanes and the path of the the Corbin and tow. Very impressive, sad and proud moment for all on board.
Safe voyage
Miss Christi and crew
My brother served on the Connie during Viet Nam and would of loved to board her one more time. Thanks for the picture
My son was assigned to the Connie in 2003. We were told that was their Decommission tour. We welcomed her home at Coronada Island back in 2004. So the Connie was still out working?
From the website on the USS Constellation, it says that the carrier was decommissioned on August 7, 2003 at San Diego at Naval Air Station North Island. On September 12, 2003, she was towed by one of our ocean-going tugs to the Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility at Bremerton, Washington. She stayed in Bremerton until August 8, 2014. Not aware of any history of her ever deploying between this time.
eta brownsville, texas
JANUARY 14, 2015 AM
Do you have an eta for the port of brownsville?