Zephyr struts her stuff

Lolita Harper

NEWPORT HARBOR -- Her large, gray mass, armed with machine guns and

cannons, was a stark contrast to the billowing sails of the fellow

vessels that cruised in the harbor Friday.

Her crew was fully uniformed in starch white outfits, standing at

attention on her bow, unlike other boats with their passengers lounging

in chinos and flip-flops.

Despite her differences, the patrol ship Zephyr received a hero’s

welcome as she entered Newport Harbor on Friday afternoon. She was

escorted by two Harbor Patrol boats that blared their sirens, while more

than 30 other boats eagerly awaited her arrival.

Because of the 80-degree weather, hundreds of beachgoers were also on

hand to greet the 328-ton ship on her way to moor at the Newport Harbor

Nautical Museum. In a rare appearance, a Grumman F7F Tigercat fighter

plane also flew overhead to salute her.

Boaters, in vessels ranging from tugboats to yachts, honked their

horns and saluted the ship as she returned to the harbor after a year.

“It’s very exciting that the Zephyr is coming back,” said Newport

Beach Councilman Steve Bromberg. “It is not only something that Newport

Beach can be proud of, but it will also be a nice educational experience

for kids from 9 to 90.”

One of 14 coastal patrol ships, the Zephyr was designed to carry up to

nine Navy SEALs to and from foreign shores and also works with the Coast

Guard with drug enforcement in South American waters, officials said. The

ship is 179 feet long and can travel at speeds of 35 knots.

“It’s really pretty,” said 12-year-old Allison Cheffer, who was on one

of the greeting boats. “It’s way bigger than any of the boats in this

harbor.”

Allison’s father, Bruce, said he was pleased so many people came out

to welcome the Zephyr. It was nice to see a military vessel treated with

the same honor as in decades past, the boat enthusiast said.

Mayor Gary Adam presented the ship, manned by 24 crew members and four

officers, with a plaque, and the Newport Harbor High School band provided

the entertainment.

Spectators, sailors, and city and museum officials celebrated the

Zephyr’s return with a reception inside the museum.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .

FYI

The patrol ship Zephyr will moor next to The Pride of Newport Beach,

the home of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. Tours of the vessel will

be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. today and Sunday at 151 E. Coast

Highway, Newport Beach. Information: (949) 673-7863.