Kitty Hawk sailors wait out Hong Kong delay
Posted : Wednesday Nov 21, 2007 6:57:55 EST
HONG KONG — Thousands of U.S. sailors expecting to spend Thanksgiving in Hong Kong were still on their ships Wednesday, waiting for permission to enter Hong Kong waters, U.S. and Hong Kong officials said.
The carrier Kitty Hawk and its support ships had been expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning for a five-day visit, but they were delayed due to problems with “administrative arrangements,” the U.S. consulate said in a statement.
Hong Kong’s Marine Department, which handles logistic arrangements for ships docking in Hong Kong’s deep-water port, said Wednesday it had not yet received any documentation clearing the arrival of foreign military ships.
Foreign warships must get diplomatic clearance from China’s Foreign Office in Beijing before entering Hong Kong waters. The documentation is then passed to Hong Kong’s immigration department and then finally to the Marine Department. It wasn’t immediately clear where the delay happened.
U.S. officials would not say how many of the battle group’s nine ships and up to 8,000 sailors were awaiting clearance to enter Hong Kong.
Plans had been arranged for many of the sailors to have Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with American families living in Hong Kong, Joan Meccariello, chairwoman of the Servicemen’s Guide Association in Hong Kong, told The Associated Press.
The Kitty Hawk, based in the Japanese port city of Yokosuka, is the only U.S. aircraft carrier permanently deployed abroad.
The conventionally-powered ship will be decommissioned next year and replaced by the nuclear-powered George Washington.
Leave a Comment
Most Viewed Stories
- McRaven: Spec ops prepping for drawdown role
- DoD: Tricare beneficiaries should go to MTFs
- Drills prepare Enterprise for final deployment
- Navy, Corps practice getting boots on the beach
- Naval Academy: Spice investigation complete
- U.S., Japan mull sending 4,700 Marines to Guam
- P-8A makes debut in Bold Alligator exercise
- Last known WWI veteran dies at 110
- The ‘Stan: An officer’s unvarnished view
- Bataan ARG back from 322-day deployment
- Senators question Pentagon decision on F-35B
- Rescued U.S. aid worker says she’s thankful
Contests and Promotions
Enter our 2012 Red Carpet Contest!
Predict who will get the statues on Hollywood's big night and win a $200 Fandango Gift Card!
Click Here To Enter.
Win Tactical Night Vision Goggles!
Enter to Win the Military Times Sweepstakes!
Click Here To Enter.
Free Stickers
Click here and we'll send you a FREE AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, VIETNAM, or DESERT STORM sticker.
Marketplace
Mil-Mall
2011 Insider's Guide To Military BenefitsThis handbook for military life includes essential information on pay and benefits, housing, education, health care and more.
Military Discounts
Save on your purchases!
In honor of your military service, you can find regular and name brand products at a special discount.






