ITS Amerigo Vespucci sails alongside aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

8 September 2022 10.00

On 1st September 2022, Training Ship Vespucci recreated one of the most iconic moments in the vessel’s history.

It was 1962 when, in a starry summer night in the middle of the Mediterranean, aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA 62 Forrestal-class) encountered the training ship and flashed with light signals asking the vessel to identify itself.

“Training ship Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Navy" was the answer, and the Independence replied with the famous expression “You are the most beautiful ship in the world.

After 60 years, another aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77 Nimitz-class), sailed alongside training ship Vespucci transiting from Manfredonia to Taranto in lower Adriatic. The commanding officer, US Navy Captain David-Tavis Pollard, re-enacting the historical event occurred with USS Independence, radioed the question “Are you the Italian Navy sailing ship Amerigo Vespucci?"

Receiving an affirmative answer from IT Navy Captain Massimiliano Siragusa, the Americans replied: “After 60 years you're still the most beautiful ship in the world".

It was an amazing opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the Italian Navy and the US Navy, following tradition while keeping an eye on the future, iconically represented by the cadets of the newborn Aghenor class embarked onboard the Italian training ship.

(pictures taken by photographer Massimo Sestini and IT Navy Chief Petty Officer Gian Carlo Cadeddu)

See the video of the event in the YouTube Marina channel.

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