USS Arlington

While "camping" on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel South Thimble Island, we've enjoyed watching the marine vessels. There were two US Navy amphibious transport ships - one left last evening, but one has stayed. The hydrofoil(s) have been going out and back. Last night and earlier this morning the ships were facing out so we could see the large "well deck".

The back side of the ship - to the right is a pile driver vessel that had passed by the bridge tunnel earlier.

This is a shot through our spotting scope - we enjoyed watching through the spotting scope - we could see a zodiac raft circling the ship - it seemed to go around continuously.

This morning, the winds have shifted, so the one that is still here has turned sideways and Dwayne saw the number "24" on the hull, so we think it is the USS Arlington.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Arlington_(LPD-24)

We noticed that the "LCAC - Air Cushioned Vehicle" that seemed to be ferrying people or supplies back and forth was "hovering" behind the ship.

It appeared that another LCAC was in the well deck and when it came out there was a tremendous cloud of water!

There's a vessel coming out of there to the left...

There you can see it better...

We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here on South Thimble Island. Now we need to find someone to stop traffic for us (see http://trekincartwrights.blogspot.com/2016/06/chesapeake-bay-bridge-tunnel.html) so we can get back on our way!