EVERETT — Naval Station Everett is inviting the public to an open house May 31, the first such event in two years.
Public tours will be available of three Navy ships, including the USS Nimitz. It’s the first opportunity for the public to walk through the 1,115-foot-long aircraft carrier since it came to Everett in March 2012, said Kristin Ching, a spokeswoman for the Navy base.
In addition to tours of the Nimitz, the public can get a close-up look at a guided missile destroyer, the USS Shoup, and a frigate, the USS Rodney M. Davis.
The public can come to the base beginning at 10 a.m. Government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, is required to enter the base.
No backpacks, coolers or bags larger than a purse will be allowed, Ching said. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on the base.
Ship tours begin at 11 a.m. Buses will take people from the central part of the base to the piers.
To participate on the ship tours, children must be 8 years or older and adults must be able to walk. That’s because of the way the ships are designed, with vertical ladders and things that could be a trip hazard, she said.
Those who can’t take the tours can takes buses to the pier to see the ships.
The last time the community day was scheduled at the station was 2012, when an estimated 5,000 people turned out.
Tours of the Nimitz begin every half hour. “They want to make sure everyone gets a chance, especially since this doesn’t happen every year,” Ching said.
Visitors are encouraged to take a bus to the event. There will be no on-base parking except for people with a handicap-parking stickers, Ching said. Buses on Route 6 will leave the Everett Transit Station, 3201 Smith Ave., every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
“This is a good opportunity for the community to see the ships, the sailors at work and see things that they normally view from afar,” she said.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
The base
Naval Station Everett, 2000 W. Marine View Drive, will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31. The pubic can tour three U.S. Navy ships, including the USS Nimitz. The event is free.
Nimitz facts
Height: More than 23 stories from the keel to the top of the mast
Weight: About 97,000 tons when fully loaded
Length: 1,115 feet
Flight deck: About 4.5 acres
Food: Can stock at least 70 days of meals
Water: Four distilling units can make more than 400,000 gallons of fresh water per day
Crew: About 5,000 people
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