U S S Carl Vinson CVN70
 

The U S S Carl Vinson with air wing CVW17/AA moored off Fremantle W A today for a two day visit.

Unfortunately she will not be open to the public so spotters will miss the opportunity to log many aircraft not seen in W A before as CVW17 is an Atlantic Fleet Air Wing.

When was the last carrier to visit Sydney?

I think it was Kitty Hawk in July 2007 . I believe nuclear powered aircraft carriers are not allowed to enter the harbour. Freemantle is the preferred port :rolleyes:

Nuclear carriers are also not allowed to moor in the Port of Fremantle. They moor offshore in "Gage Roads" between the mainland and Rottnest Island. The crew is taken ashore by a fleet of ferries which operate around the clock.

And contrary to previous advice that the visit was only for two days, the Vinson is still in Perth and is here until at least Sunday, I believe.

The last carrier to visit us in the West was the USS George Washington in 2009.

So that would mean that no carriers can come into Sydney Harbour then, because all of them are nuclear powered aren't they?

The last US conventionally powered carrier retired in 2008.
Under current NSW Policy set in 1982, a nuclear powered ship is not permitted in Sydney Harbour. A similar policy is now in place for the Ports of New York and London.

The USS Enterprise came to Sydney and was docked alongside Garden Island in 2001, on her way home from the Persian Gulf.

It was only a few weeks before the September 11 attacks.

The ship was open to the public, and a friend and I spent a good three to four hours on board (in fact, I still have the sweatshirt and baseball cap I bought from the shop on board).

2001: That would have been USS Constellation on her return home from the Persian gulf.

Big E's last visit was 1972 in Sydney Harbour. She was never allowed to return after 74.

Also Big E has never able to dock at Garden Island due to her size, the overhang is far to big. Her visit in 72 and she was left out in the middle of the Harbour.

Your right, it was. I type this from the walk in robe having checked aforementioned sweatshirt!