Good afternoon Scramble,
When I read this update about the two South Korean Marineships I took my bags and left immediately for the port in R'dam.
Driving on the Erasmusbridge I saw the ships on the right side. ( CONFIRMED: NO HELI ON BOARD ! )
Actually I was early enough to be at the openings ceremony on board. I had a quick look on both ships and I find myself lucky enough to visit some classified places.
To be honest it was a great opportunity to see the South Korean marine, actually the S-Korean Special Forces (SEAL's) were on board as well.
After the openings ceremony both ships were open for public from 12:00 - 16:00.
Actually you have the possibility to check yourself tomorrow. 12:00 - 15:00 if you missed today.
Both ships leave on m'day for their last 6 stops. (Next one after R'dam is Canada).
But the tour through both ships weren't as good as when I visited the ships in the early morning.
All staff were amazingly friendly (When I was on board, there was a different atmosphere, more a hostile one rather then a friendly one....)
And some areas were blocked as well, where you couldn't visit during the tour. Such as the Weaponry room, Radio tower, and the engine rooms. (This morning I did visit the places above and took some really nice pictures)
Well I must say... the whole tour on both ships took me about 1.5 hour.... and I was very slow... so if you expect to be there whole day.. you can forget that.
When I was taking photo's in the bridge you were allowed to be there at most... 5min. NO LONGER. And during the tour... when I was on the upper upper deck by the radar incl. the long range missile machine I wasn't even allowed to take pictures.
I was very interested in the antenna's they using, type, model etc. etc. (Lucky enough I took my own private detour in the morning)
Actually they have the 50 CAL and a M60 on the side of the bridge. (I think they removed the fire PIN. Because I pressed the trigger... nothing went OFF
Making my way down the ship to the supplier I found it was very interesting that we couldn't visit all places.
(Because the weapons were stored actually right there...)
It was about 14:00 when I left both ships with a big smile. I don't think any other visitors has visited the spots were I was and had the opportunity to take pictures from some very interesting places.
That was about it so far my experience.... What maybe would be interesting is to find out the following.
** Just before exiting the ship I heard a SEAL soldier on the phone (talking English) about when at arrival there was someone threatening the S-Korean minister. His words: " We SNIPED the dude from 500meter away ".
I don't think this has happened in The Netherlands, but does anybody know if this could happen during the trip ? " **
I tried to find intel on the web but came back empty handed.
So again, for the one who is planning to visit. You can visit both ships tomorrow. after 15:00 they prepare for departure.
Photo's will folow later,, ( Entering the donor kebab store as we speak )... it was a long day!
Regards,
BirdieBarty
