Sailors landed at Portland's seawall Wednesday afternoon as the vessels arrived under a spray of water from a Portland fire boat and open bridges.
Two Royal Canadian Navy Coast Guard vessels — HMCS Regina and the HMCA Nanaimo — made their way into the city along the Willamette River during the afternoon June 6. U.S. Coast Guard vessels the USCGC Steadfast and the USCGC Bluebell, also moored Wednesday afternoon at the seawall. The training vessel Ironwood, a decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard cutter, arrived late Wednesday afternoon.
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and mine countermeasures ship USS Scout (MCM 8) should arrive in Portland Thusday afternoon, June 7, to moor between the Steel and Burnside Bridges.
All the arrivals will require bridge lifts for at least the Broadway, Steel and Burnside bridges, both Wednesday and Thursday, and again Monday morning, June 11, between 7 and 10 a.m., as they depart the Rose City.
Michael Murphy and Scout, along with three U.S. Coast Guard vessels and two ships from the Royal Canadian Navy, will be in the city through June 11 offering tours and participating in the festival's annual fun.
The Royal Canadian ships and U.S. Coast Guard vessels will be open for tours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., June 8 to 10. U.S. Navy ships will be open for tours 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., June 8 to 10.
As part of the week's festivities, the U.S. Navy will also host an energy and environmental exhibit at Tom McCall Waterfront Park from June 8 to 10. The display will showcase the Navy's wildlife conservation and marine mammal research efforts, and other programs that help protect the environment.
People who want to tour the vessels must show government-issued photo identification and go through an airport-style security screening checkpoint. Visitors are encouraged to wear flat-heeled, closed-toe shoes. No open-toe shoes will be permitted. Also, several items, such as weapons, chemical sprays, fireworks, drugs, large bags or strollers, will be prohibited onboard the vessels.
