Bloomberg Okay with Nuclear Ships in NYC

Fleet Week is upon us, but it's smaller (that's what she said!) than past year's events because nuclear-powered craft is not allowed in the harbor. Therefore, many of the Navy's newer aircraft carriers aren't here.

Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg said, "I would love to have big ships and I personally don't see any risk," and suggested the 1990 policy of barring nuclear-powered of nuclear-armed ships should be reconsidered, "I think the understanding of nuclear technology and the safety of it is a lot different than it was during the Dinkins days."

Bloomberg also suggested the reason why Fleet Week was smaller this year was because more naval vessels were needed in the Middle East for the Iraq war, though the Navy has denied it.

Some City Council members were wary about that idea, but former Mayor Ed Koch told the Sun, "When I was mayor, I announced New York would be the homeport for any U.S. ships — nuclear or otherwise — and with pride. It's an outrage that there are New Yorkers who believe that the rest of America should defend New York City with our nuclear-powered Navy and should say no."

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By Jen Chung in News on May 23, 2008 10:00 AM

Comments [rss]

fleshtone

"...the 1990 policy of barring nuclear-powered of nuclear-armed ships should be reconsidered"

Spirit of 76

Oops, I meant 50 years for the Enterprise.

Spirit of 76

Nuclear powered ships can last, like, 100 years. I don't see the big deal.

No, they don't. The oldest one in the fleet is the Enterprise, and that'll be a little over 60 years old when they decommission it in 2012. Lots of nuclear vessels have been stricken and scrapped. Long Beach, Nautilus, and quite a few attack and ballistic missile submarines which were newer than Enterprise. Many subs don't even reach 30 years.

even non nuclear powered ships are big. I remember visiting the USS Saipan, now decommissioned.

It's not that big. The Saipan was smaller than the Intrepid, which most New Yorkers can visit any day (when it's back at its pier). Both are dwarfed by the really big carriers like the Enterprise, which is 1/3 longer and almost twice as wide.

sonyactivision

"Ohhh! You sunk the USS Hudson Yards!"

Spirit of 76

nuclear-powered craft is not allowed in the harbor. Therefore, many of the Navy's newer aircraft carriers aren't here.

Um, are any of the carriers here? Not just many of them or the newer ones, but any at all?

lanciano

This is discussion that our leaders probably should have had 2 weeks ago. A lot of good it does the the Navy now.

Fleet Week used to amuse me but now it makes me sad. Seeing those few sailors trickling around the city just reminds me of all the sailors and other men/women in uniform who are doing the dirty work of this f*cking war.

JacqueMehoff

Is this really a big deal with New Yorkers?

even non nuclear powered ships are big. I remember visiting the USS Saipan, now decommissioned.

besides most of the fighting fleet are over in the Gulf.