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Tours, pending Tiger Cruise

Shipmates,
We know that there is a lot of frustration in regards to the Plankowner/Former Kitty Hawk Sailor cruise scheduled for the end of this month. I want to reassure you that Captain Zecchin has requested that a cruise be made available to you in honor of your service to the KITTY HAWK and has personally been involved in this whole process. As you know, we have had many schedule changes in the past few months and have updated you with the most current information that we have available. We are sorry that this hasn’t been satisfactory to some, but we have given you the best information and are working to mitigate any barriers that may come about to host a great cruise for you.
Tours:
Since we have pulled in to SD, our number one priority was to get equipment and personnel offloaded to get GW ready to take our place as the FDNF carrier. It involved many crane lifts and movement within the ship which precluded us from having tours at your convenience. Now that we can safely have you visit us in limited areas, we are offering tours this Sunday, 24 AUG, between the hours of 1000-1500. The tour will include a walk-thru of the Hangar Bays, flight deck, foc’sle and the second deck. Please come at the top of the hour and we will have escorts provide you a tour of those spaces. No children under the age of 8 will be allowed aboard and you must be able to climb ladders unassisted. Walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, etc.. are NOT authorized aboard. Please do not wear sandals or open-toed shoes. We are still a very capable war ship. Those needing base access should contact base security ahead of time at (619) 545-7419 for more information.
Here is what we know for the cruise:
- a request has been submitted to C3F for a cruise for you from SD to Bremerton. We anticipate approval but it is not official yet. If approved the dates are: 27 AUG- 2 SEP (5 night stay)
- We will let those who have been medically cleared join us. These forms were sent out early Spring with a deadline of 15 JUNE.
- you will check-in on 27 AUG between the hours of 1700-2000.
- it is up to you to decide to book flights, hotels, etc.. KITTY HAWK will not be held accountable for any charges that you may incur if we do not get approved or if there are any changes to our schedule.
Here are a few things that you will need to know for your transit:
Note: Medical personnel on Kitty Hawk have the final determination if you are qualified/fit to ride the ship. You will be screened before boarding. If Kitty Hawk medical personnel determine you are un-fit to make the transit, you will be denied boarding in accordance with Navy regulations.
Helpful Hints For Tiger Cruise:
- Do not forget to bring enough of your medication for the entire transit. The ship cannot provide you with refills if you run out.
- Bring bath items appropriate for community living, e.g., shower shoes, shower caddy to carry bath products, towel, bathrobe.
- Bring closed-toe, comfortable shoes such as tennis shoes or work boots. Sandals or heels are not appropriate and are a safety hazard.
- Bring enough clothes for the duration of your stay. Laundry services will be limited on the ship.
- Bring comfortable pants. Shorts are not authorized as they do not provide adequate skin protection and are a safety hazard.
- Bring comfortable shirts with sleeves. Sleeveless shirts or tank-tops are not authorized except when exercising.
- Limited exercise facilities will be available during prescribed times. For those that choose to exercise, bring exercise clothing.
- Bring one light-weight jacket or sweater.
- Mark all electronic items for ownership and write down serial numbers prior to embarking. All items must be stored in a locked container (rack or locker) or on the person. There are very few locations to charge electronic items and all items must be safety checked. Computers, DVD players, Ipods, cell phones, and games cannot be left unsecured in berthing or work spaces.
- Contact wearers should bring a pair of glasses.
- Bring sunscreen, extra batteries for cameras or electronic items.
- Use a soft-sided duffle bag to pack personal items. Space is extremely limited in berthing compartments and there will be no storage space available for suitcases.
Things To Pack:
____ collapsible duffel bag
____ tooth brush
____ tooth paste
____ dental floss
____ razor
____ shaving cream
____ shampoo/conditioner
____ medication
____ lotion
____ pajamas and/or robe
____ shower shoes/flip flops
____ towel
____ wash cloth/puff
____ underwear
____ clothes
____ socks
____ comb/brush
____ (digital) camera
____ film/batteries
____ sunscreen
____ contact lenses/glasses
____ small flashlight
____ soap in plastic dish/body wash
____ cash (Personal checks not accepted)
____ walking shoes. You may be on your feet for hours.
____ wind breaker/sweatshirt for evenings
____ cross word puzzle book and/or novel for slack time
Things To Leave At Home:
____ hard-sided suitcase
____ high-value items (very little secure space to store personal belongings)
____ sheets/pillow (You are welcome to bring a pillow if you like)
____ electrical items (these have to be safety checked)
____ food/drinks (food will be provided by the mess; vending machines are available throughout the ship)
Safety issues:
As you well remember, Kitty Hawk was not built specifically with the crew’s comfort in mind. There are many hazards associated with Navy ships. Of specific concern are:
- Flight Deck and catwalks will be accessible between sunrise and sunset only and require a float coat and escort at all times.
- Engineering and Navigation Bridge will be off limits. There will be tour times posted when we get underway to allow a visit to those spaces.
- Ladders are dangerous, especially at sea. Always use both hands on railings or chains as you walk up or down ladders. Always double-check your footing, as slips are possible. Vertical ladders are off limits at all times.
- Overheads are low; in many places you will be required to duck. While we won’t have aircraft aboard, there may be other hazards in the hangar bay on which you can hit your head.
- There will be trip hazards everywhere. Knee-knockers in passageways are big trip hazards, as will aircraft tiedown chains, which may be used to tie down equipment in the hangar bay or on the flight deck.
- Kitty Hawk crewmembers will be using hazardous chemicals, cleaners, paints and similar items in their daily work, so care needs to be taken around these items. Also, if you find a space that has a strong odor, such as rotten eggs, do not enter the space. Shut the door and immediately notify a crewmember.
- If you see Sailors wearing protective gear while they are working, such as re-lagging a space or painting it, do not enter the space as there may be hazardous chemicals, or even asbestos.
- If you see any emergencies – fire, flooding, personnel injuries – call 9-1-1 and/or notify a crewmember immediately. Do not attempt to engage the casualty in any circumstance.
- Anything that looks out of place, seems strange or unusual, point it out to a crewmember. There may be a good reason for it being that way, or you may have discovered something that requires the crew’s attention. Either way, always be safe and get a crewmember involved.

We hope to have an answer for you soon with our approval. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
V/r
Lieutenant Bill Clinton
Media/Public Affairs Officer
USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)
FPO AP 96634-2770
(At Sea) +1-619-545-7633 DSN: 312-735-7633
(In Port) +81-(0)46-816-6655 DSN: 315-243-6655

Re: Tours, pending Tiger Cruise

Jason,

Thanks for your efforts.

One question: Is there a GO/NO-GO date for the Tiger Cruise approval? I suspect not but thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks again,

Pete McMiller

Re: Tours, pending Tiger Cruise

I am confident that everyone that plans to tour the ship and be a part of the anticipated Tiger cruise are very appreciative for your hard work and enduring the frustration that you are experiencing. You have my gratitude and sympathy. I recognize that you are very busy but I believe there may be a crucial issue regarding base access that is going to require action from the Kitty Hawk. I called base security as your 15 August email to Jim Melka advised to determine what would be required to access the base for the tour. I was informed that unless you possess a retired/active military ID and your vehicle has a base decal or you are escorted by a retiree that you will not be allowed on the base. The same criteria for base access would apply to folks that plan to participate in the Tiger Cruise assuming approval. I believe your 15 August email to Jim Melka states that the Kitty Hawk cannot grant base access for former crewmembers. I see this as a serious problem as most former crewmembers cannot meet those very narrow criteria as the retired or active military folks. Please accept my apologies for adding to your frustration but if you folks have a plan to mitigate this problem, I am sure everyone that has committed to travel and hotels etc. would be most appreciative to be apprised of the plan.
Thanks again for all your help.

Re: Tours, pending Tiger Cruise

Shipmates:
That's six days, not five. Our "math" was based on the original check-in date of the morning of the 28th. So, as everyone has noted, it's six days, not five.
Jason Chudy