A giant in the bay of Palma - the world’s largest aircraft carrier anchored off Mallorca
Shortly after sunrise, the giant of the seas appeared on the horizon off Palme de Mallorca. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest and most modern aircraft carrier with more than 4,500 marines on board, stops off the Balearic island - right in the bay of Palma.
According to the island government, the colossus will remain at anchor for 6 days. The crew is on shore leave - or island holiday.
More than 30 buses are waiting at the piers in the harbour of Palma to transport the "excursionists". The tourism authority, as well as the traders and restaurateurs, are hoping for a small windfall. According to estimates, the Americans bring around 10 million euros in purchasing power to the island.
Based on previous visits to similar aircraft carriers, such as the USS Harry S. Truman, each crew member spends between 200 and 400 euros a day on Mallorca - on excursions, the purchase of sporting goods and clothing, hotels, taxis, buses and hire cars.
The nuclear-powered ship is named after the 38th President of the United States, who served in the Navy during the Second World War and died in 2006 at the age of 96. The aircraft carrier is a colossus measuring 337 metres in length, equipped with the most modern technology in the world and capable of carrying 90 aircraft, including the world’s most modern F/A-18 fighter jets and the F-35.
At the same time, however, there had also been criticism and protests in Mallorca. Més per Mallorca and Podemos, the two main left-wing regionalist parties, immediately announced protests.
"The visits of the Sixth Fleet to Palma were frequent a few years ago, as it is a safe and attractive city, ideal to offer recreation to the crew. I’m not surprised she’s coming and I don’t think we should be overly concerned about it either. If it was a German frigate, nobody would say anything," said Josep Pons Irazazába, former Spanish ambassador.
(Sources: Merkur, Ultimara Hora, Mallorca Magazin)
Photos: Medienmacher; Rene
