A big visitor will be evident to anyone with a view of St. Thomas harbor Thursday through Monday, as the nearly 850-foot Navy amphibious assault vessel USS Bataan anchors south of Hassel Island.
Under the command of Capt. John B. Strott, the USS Bataan is carrying a crew of 1,800, and is the Navy's first such vessel designed with accommodations for nearly 450 female officers, chiefs, enlisted personnel and troops.
The 40,500-ton ship boasts sophisticated missile and weapons systems and can carry tanks, trucks and other materiel as well as assault helicopters and air-cushioned landing craft.
Ferries from the Bataan will run to the U.S. Coast Guard dock, where there will also be a Shore Patrol staging area.
