US warship turned away as Townsville port is full

Courier Mail (Brisbane) ^ | 24th June 2009 | Peter Michael

[GATOR NAVY]

"Naval visits are always subject to commercial arrangements, and that is a risk you run," Mr Holden said.

Ain't that the truth. I've had to shift berths or moor someplace out of the way many times in many places on port visits.

Last time I was with the ESSEX ARG and we did Tandem Thrust (2001) my ship went to Mackay. ESSEX and the LSD split Townsville and Cairns but I don't remember which one went where. Post-exercise everyone went Brisbane. Good times.