Cape Town — The South African Navy has given its assurances that the United States nuclear vessel the USS Theodore Roosevelt will pose little risk to the public and the environment when it docks in Cape Town.
The 322-m ship weighs 90 000 tons, has 5 700 people — 3 200 naval personnel, 2 480 air wing personnel and 20 kitchen staffers — on board and can carry 90 aircraft. The carrier has taken part in several operations in Bosnia and was responsible for launching initial strikes against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.