The charter sailing ship Californian hit a barricade surrounding the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan in San Diego Bay.
The Reagan is undergoing maintenance at North Island Naval Air Station. The floating barrier, made up of black rubber tubes is designed to keep small boats away. One link of the barrier was removed for repair, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Liz Meydenbauer said.
Cruise Passengers Startled
Ship Strikes Barriers Around U.S.S. Ronald Reagan
Californian - August 25, 2007
The Californian is a replica of the 1847 Revenue Cutter C.W. Lawrence, that patrolled the coast of California enforcing federal law during the gold rush. The Revenue Cutter Service, along with four other federal maritime agencies, was consolidated into the United States Coast Guard in 1915.
It was built in 1984 and acquired in 2003 by the San Diego Maritime Museum. The ship has a capacity of 50 passengers and is normally full this time of year according to the museum director, Ray Ashley.
Ashley said the Californian was executing a maneuver in which the stern of the ship is allowed to pass through the eye of the wind.
He said the wind shifted abruptly as the Californian rounded a corner.
“It was quite a windy day, and the ship didn't answer as expected,” Ashley said.
North Island was commissioned a Naval Air Station in 1917, called Naval Air Station, San Diego until 1955. On August 15, 1963, the station was granted official recognition as the "Birthplace of Naval Aviation" by resolution of the House Armed Services Committee.
The contract to build the Ronald Reagan was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on December 8, 1994.
Her keel was laid down on February 12, 1998.
She was launched on March 4, 2001, christened by Reagan's wife Nancy the same day, and commissioned on July 12, 2003, with Captain J. W. Goodwin in command.
President Reagan, who did not attend either the launch or the commissioning because of Alzheimer's Disease, died eleven months later.
Californian
U.S.S. Ronald Reagan
