Ship ID

[PaulC]

Hi guys,

Can anyone ID this ship (or even its type, class and navy), docked in Ocho Rios, Jamaica this week? Not taken by me - was sent to me on Whatsapp.

I cropped it to post here.

Looks like a 19 maybe on the bow?

Some people here are very nervous about visiting warships these days given what's been happening in the Caribbean recently. The visit by the Nimitz to Kingston a couple weeks ago on her farewell voyage caused quite a stir. I had the privilege of seeing her with my own eyes - from a bit of a distance though - my second time seeing a US super carrier. (I had the even greater privilege of going aboard the Eisenhower in Montego Bay 1988!)

[FFG-7]

can you enlarge the flag on the bow as I don't think is US but a European country not UK & even France but other nation?

[PaulC]

I think I've found it! Is IS indeed USN.

It's a San Antonio class LPD with the AEM/S system towers removed. That's what fooled me when I was looking at Amphibious assault ship pictures, trying to get an ID.

https://www.twz.com/sea/san-antonio-cla ... lthy-masts



The ship looks to be USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) with regular masts.

[Admhawk]

San Antonio class (LPD 17) Flight II ships (LPD 28 and up) are being built without the stealth covers on the masts.

This is USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29).

I think it's a weight saving thing and the LPDs don't really need to be that stealthy.

[Frank Fowler]

There are also other differences between the Flt I and Flt II ships. Look closely at the midship areas of each ship shown above in the two photos. This area has been changed significantly in the McCool and follow on ships.

[PaulC]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated!