USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER departure

USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN 69), aka "Ike", departed Halifax this morning, and was off Chebucto Head by 0900 or so. Although the harbour pilot was requested for 0645 or so, she didn't turn around to head out until after the cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas arrived a little after 0800.

Ike beginning her turn with the help of tugs.

Head-on view.

These ships don't turn on a dime, even with the help of tugs.

A close-up of the bow. The crew were busy hosing harbour muck off the starboard anchor, and large splashes could be seen for quite some time after she left her anchorage. If you look near the top right of the image, you can see that the .50 cal machine guns at the bow are manned during her transit out of the harbour.

An E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft sits just forward of the island structure.

Close-up of the island superstructure, which houses the ship's bridge and FLYCO (flying control) centre, as well as multiple sensors and other equipment.

Still washing the anchor. That Halifax Harbour muck is tenacious!

Looks like they finally stowed the anchor, just shy of the McNab's Island lighthouse.

My last view of Ike before I had to leave.