Fleet Will Dock, Again Under Tight Security

Eleven ships are expected to dock at the Willamette River's harbor wall in this year's Portland Oregon Rose Festival Fleet in the fourth year of tight security. The number of ships is the same as last year but with one fewer Navy vessel. The names of the three Navy vessels won't be released until 72 hours before arrival, but they will include a Guided Missile Cruiser, a Guided Missile Destroyer and a Guided Missile Frigate. The Canadian Maritime Forces will send coastal defense vessels HMCS Whitehorse, HMCS Nanaimo, HMCS Saskatoon and HMCS Yellowknife. HMCS Saskatoon The U.S. Coast Guard will send USCG Cutters: Steadfast, Cuttyhunk and Henry Blake, and the inland buoy tender Bluebell. A restored World War II-era PT boat based at Swan Island and a restored 1960s-era U.S. Coast Guard motor whaleboat also will be docked at the wall. USCGC Cuttyhunk On Saturday afternoon, June 11, a new river patrol boat for Multnomah County Sheriff's Office will be christened. The fleet's visit is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 8, with the arrival of the Canadian ships and the Coast Guard ships, followed by the Navy ships on Thursday, June 9. All vessels are scheduled to depart Monday, June 13. The Host-a-Sailor program remains shut down because of security restrictions on the fleet. Visitors should expect tight security, including fences for pedestrians and escorts for watercraft. Only U.S. Navy-escorted water traffic will be allowed between the Morrison and Steel bridges. Access to Waterfront Park will be controlled from 10 a.m. Thursday until about noon Monday, and on the Willamette River from 8 a.m. Thursday to noon Monday. The Eastbank Esplanade will be open to the public. People with military ID can get in free to Pepsi Waterfront Village. While the Ships are here, all bridges will be open to automotive traffic as normal, but the northbound ramp from Northwest Naito Parkway to the Steel Bridge may be closed; detours will be marked. The U.S. Navy Ships will be in the controlled-access area, between the Burnside and Steel bridges. The Coast Guard and Canadian Maritime Forces ships will be docked south of the Burnside Bridge, outside this area. Free public tours of the fleet will be limited and may be canceled at any time. People who are interested in touring U.S. Navy ships will need to register with name and birth date in the morning, then return for tours in the afternoon. No bags or weapons are allowed. Five military dignitaries are scheduled to arrive: Rear Adm. Jeffrey M. Garrett and Rear Adm. Duncan Smith of the U.S. Coast Guard; and Rear Adm. Michael H. Miller, Rear Adm. Len R. Herring Sr. and Capt. Daniel Sing of the U.S. Navy. The popular river cruises on U.S. Navy Ships offered through the Navy League Blueback Council are full for this year. But people who want to be put on the 2006 mailing list can send their name, address and phone number to gaglswn@aol.com. New River Patrol Boat for Multnomah County Sheriff's Office