An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photo of open ocean

Search News

Submarines Visit the World’s Busiest Cruise Port

01 August 2023

From Bob Hall

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fl. - Earlier this year, Port Canaveral edged passed Miami as the busiest commercial cruise port in the world, hosting more than 4 million passengers in a single year with nearly a dozen cruise ships claiming Port Canaveral as their homeport.
Download Icon Download
Earlier this year, Port Canaveral edged passed Miami as the busiest commercial cruise port in the world; hosting more than 4 million passengers in a single year with nearly a dozen cruise ships claiming Port Canaveral as their homeport. 
A photo of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) conducted a port visit to Cape Canaveral for an ordnance reload, personnel transfer, and brief liberty call before heading back to sea. Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines are capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
A photo of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) conducted a port visit to Cape Canaveral for an ordnance reload, personnel transfer, and brief liberty call before heading back to sea. Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines are capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
A photo of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) conducted a port visit to Cape Canaveral for an ordnance reload, personnel transfer, and brief liberty call before heading back to sea. Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines are capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

However, vacation cruise ships are not the only sea-faring vessels traversing in and out of Port Canaveral. There are cargo ships seen loading and unloading their payloads, commercial fishing charter boats ferrying anglers out to deeper water for the catch of the day, and several smaller personal water craft, but these are seen on a near daily basis. 

For most Floridians living in the Cape Canaveral area, these are not even noticeable occurrences anymore – as they happen every day. What most people don’t see every day is a U.S. Navy submarine. That’s right, a submarine.

Nestled on the north side of Port Canaveral is the U.S. Navy’s Trident Basin and Wharf, which supports the Atlantic Fleet’s naval vessels, but specifically submarines.
The Trident Wharf is one of two wharfs managed by the Naval Ordnance Test Unit, a small U.S. Navy unit at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. And while NOTU’s primary mission is to provide integrated testing, evaluation, and research and development solutions for the nation’s sea-based Strategic Weapon Systems, the unit also operates the port to support Atlantic Fleet operations of US and Allied navies and assisting other federal agencies for missions of national interest.
 
In July, NOTU’s Trident Wharf hosted two of the U.S. Navy’s attack submarines: the Los Angeles-class, USS Albany (SSN 753) and the Virginia-class, USS Indiana (SSN 789).
Albany made its port visit to reload ordnance, transfer personnel, replenish food stores and enjoy some liberty before heading back to sea. Likewise, Indiana’s visit included personnel transfer, stores onload and liberty before she continued her operations at sea.

The Trident Wharf at Cape Canaveral SFS is a choice location for the Navy’s submarines to make port calls whether it to load training torpedoes for training exercises at the Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center in the Caribbean; transfer crew or other Navy personnel aboard or ashore; replenish needed supplies; or to make brief liberty calls for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Whatever the reason, NOTU is here, ready to support our sailors and ships. 
 
 

Google Translation Disclaimer

Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon