Visit to the USS Blue Ridge

We got another chance to visit and go on-board a US Navy vessel, this time the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), which is the Command Ship for the US Navy's Seventh Fleet. I joined 3rd KL once again on this outing, this time in BB uniform, bringing along 13 others. Mr Lawrence Tay was also one of the accompanying officers on this trip. 

We gathered outside SMK Taman Desa at 7.30am (well, most of us) but only departed for Port Klang at 8.00am. The ship was anchored at the Glen Cruise Terminal, the same one USS Carl Vinson docked at two years ago. 

We were hosted by two gentlemen, PO1 Bobby and PO2 Andrew (can't remember their surnames). PO stands for Petty Officer, 1 for First Class and 2 for Second Class, which are the Navy's NCOs. 

PO1 Bobby giving a tour of the Blue Ridge at their "museum section", which is also the section  Fleet's CO enters or exits the ship 

Forecastle, where chains to the ships anchor is raised or dropped

On the deck

The ship has a rich history and has seen service in the Vietnam War. Yet, it didn't feel old surprisingly, compared to the relatively newer Carl Vinson. I guess having an Admiral has an effect. It was nicely air conditioned too. 

Flight Deck with it's full complement of two Seahawk hilos. 

Being a command ship, their primary function (presumably) is the coordination of missions for ships and units of the US Seventh Fleet. There were a lot of radars and communication devices mounted on the ship, much more than any other vessel I've seen in pictures within the US Navy arsenal. I suppose thanks to that most of the crew get to enjoy unrestricted internet access too. There was detachment of marines on aboard as well. Apparently the Navy and Marine people don't interact much.. interesting.

Bridge. Andrew is showing us what he primary job on the ship, which is steering the ship. 

Mess hall. The food smelled pretty good.. can't actually sense the  parmesan cheese

Full view of the ship. Yeah, it looks small thanks to the massive cruise ship beside it. 

Posing with Bobby and Andrew, our guides for the day. They were extremely friendly!

After an hour on aboard, we were quite impressed with ship and the crew's hospitality. We would like to thank them for allowing us on board as well as extending thanks to Mr Ivan Christie, one of the YMCA Board members for connecting for this trip.