Increased police presence was expected in Chania this week in anticipation of the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford at the Souda naval base for the second time in a month. On the morning of Tuesday 26th December, the US’s biggest aircraft carrier berthed with the help of tugs at quay K14 at Marathi, where it is due to stay until 30th December. Increased police patrols are in force for the days when members of the ship’s 6,000 strong complement of crew and airmen are expected to be visiting the city of the Chania and the Venetian harbour. Ploumidaki Street, which runs between the Municipal Kypos and the Park of Peace and Friendship, is closed to traffic this week to accommodate the buses carrying the visitors.