PORT HUENEME : Visiting Warship to Be Open for Tours

One of the U.S. Navy’s most technologically advanced warships will be docking in Port Hueneme today and open for public viewing today and Sunday, port officials said.

The San Diego-based Merrill, a Spruance-class destroyer, just completed a 15-month overhaul of its weapons systems, and Navy officials said they will begin training sailors to use the weapons during the next two weeks.

The Navy traditionally opens such ships to the public so people can view the new weapons and meet the sailors who will be operating them, said Teri Reid, assistant public affairs officer for the Port Hueneme Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center.

“We don’t get very many ships in here for open house, so this is usually an exciting event,” Reid said. “And this particular ship has the latest, state-of-the-art equipment.”

Reid said the Merrill is the first ship to visit the port for testing since July, 1993.

After two weeks, the ship will set out to sea to conduct exercises and test-fire the new weapons.

Visiting hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. today and Sunday. People wishing to tour the ship should enter the Port Hueneme Naval Warfare Center at the Pleasant Valley Gate. For more information, call 982-8014.