KUALA LUMPUR: After sailing across the vast open seas, the crew aboard the USS Blue Ridge are eager to get a taste of local Malaysian delicacies - including durian.
As the flagship of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, the ship’s more than 1,000 crew members are enthusiastic about experiencing Malaysian hospitality and cuisine after arriving at Port Klang for a routine port visit on Wednesday (July 17).
USS Blue Ridge commanding officer Captain Nicholas DeLeo said he was looking forward to trying durian for the first time to mark his first visit to Malaysia.
“The crew has eagerly anticipated this visit for both the food and the sights. I will definitely look to try durian,” he said when speaking during media tour of the ship on Wednesday.
DeLeo also hoped the ship’s visit would help further improve relationships with the Malaysian people through several planned community relations and cultural events.
These include two sporting events in volleyball and soccer, as well as visits to a local assembly kitchen and school.
“We aim to further enhance our relationship with the Malaysian people as we share mutual interests, particularly in security, including counter-terrorism, maritime domain, and regional stability,” he added.
Fellow crew member and ship chaplain Michael Bowen, 40, said he was also looking forward to trying the renowned regional delicacy after missing it out during his first family holiday to Malaysia in 2007.
“I have only smelled it before, but I believe it must taste better than it smells. I am really looking forward to finally tasting it,” he said.
Apart from food, Bowen said he was also excited to explore Malaysia’s famous local shopping malls to buy souvenirs.
“The first thing I plan to do is visit one of the many malls here to fill my closet with goodies. I plan to personally help boost the Malaysian economy by buying many things,” he said with a laugh.
Built in 1969 and commissioned in 1970, the USS Blue Ridge remains one of the longest-serving operational ships in the US Navy and one of the few remaining steam-powered navy ships, with two boilers powering the ship’s daily operations.
Despite this, the 18,500-ton ship remains one of the most capable command ships in the US Navy, with many onboard systems and equipment upgraded to match other modern Navy ships.
At 194m long, the ship hosts a combined crew and personnel of over 1,000, which typically includes roughly 650 ship crew members and over 350 officers and staff of the Seventh Fleet.
Several US Navy leaders are also planning to hold meetings with local military representatives and diplomatic officials during the ship’s visit to Malaysia, which is expected to last a few days, according to DeLeo.
Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) Rear Admiral Abdullah Sani Ismail had also arrived earlier to meet with and pick up US Seventh Fleet commander Vice-Admiral Fred Kacher before the start of the media tour on Wednesday.
