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Nassau Arrives in Maine for Lobster Festival

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070802-03
Release Date: 8/2/2007 9:32:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Stafford, USS Nassau Public Affairs

ROCKLAND, Maine (NNS) -- USS Nassau (LHA 4) arrived in Rockland on Aug. 1 to participate in the annual Lobster Festival.

Nassau Sailors will take part in many events, including a parade and cooking contest.

“It is our pleasure to participate in the Maine Lobster Festival. I know our crew appreciates the invitation and Rockland’s warm welcome. I anticipate Rockland [will] easily become one of our favorite port visits,” said Capt. John E. Roberti, Nassau commanding officer.

Ten Sailors will act as escorts for the 2007 Lobster Festival Sea Princesses and many more have volunteered to act as stage security at the festival’s concert events and participate in community relations projects in the local area.

While anchored, the Navy’s "Top Gator" will also open up its doors to host public tours.

“I’m proud to be able to show ‘The Mighty Warship’ Nassau to people who are unfamiliar with what we are all about or have a preconceived idea of what military or Navy life is like,” said Chief Air Traffic Controller Trevor Rowe, operations department leading chief petty officer.

“It gives me a great deal of pleasure to watch people’s reactions as they learn about how we live and work on our ‘floating city,’ and to witness the smiles and appreciation on their faces when they’ve completed the tour. We are looking forward to showing our hosts from Rockland the tremendous capability of this warship and the enormous pride our sailors have in being part of the 'Top Gator' legacy,” said Rowe.

This is the first time Nassau has participated in the Rockland Lobster Festival and the commanding officer and crew are looking forward to the visit and the chance to showcase Nassau.

“This is an opportunity for USS Nassau’s crew to show off one of our country’s greatest military assets and to participate in one of [the] country’s greatest events,” said Roberti. “As taxpayers and U.S. citizens, the community of Rockland, Maine, should be proud of this ship and the capabilities it brings to the fight. We eagerly anticipate sharing our ship with Rockland’s residents and visitors and hope we leave them with a feeling of pride in their Navy and patriotism to their country.”

Nassau is one of four ships assigned to Commander Amphibious Squadron 6, providing war fighting naval amphibious forces to operate with joint and combined forces for combatant commanders.