Ship Ceremony Information

USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) to be Christened and Launched at General Dynamics NASSCO on May 5, 2012

WHAT: USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14),will be christened and launched into San Diego Bay during an evening ceremony at the NASSCO shipyard.

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2012. The christening ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be free and open to the public. The main gate (28th Street and East Harbor Drive) to the shipyard will open at 6:30 p.m. and will close promptly at 8:15 p.m.

WHO: Speaking at the ceremony will be dignitaries from the United States Navy, including Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, as well as Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. The ceremony will culminate in the ship's sponsor ceremonially name the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against its hull.

WHERE: The General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard is located at 2798 East Harbor Drive in San Diego.

BACKGROUND: Named in honor of the labor leader, USNS Cesar Chavez is the 14th ship of the T-AKE class of dry cargo-ammunition ships that NASSCO is building for the Navy. When the Cesar Chavez joins the fleet in 2012, its primary mission will be to deliver more than 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships on the move at sea.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Call 619-544-3400.

Media calls can be directed to Jim Gill:

JIM GILL
Director of Communications
619-544-8860

Visitors to NASSCO are encouraged to wear long pants, shirt/blouse with sleeves and flat, closed-toe shoes.