[June 6, 2007, Staten Island, NY] The aircraft carrier Intrepid today made a D-Day “landing” on Staten Island, Wednesday, June 6th, after being towed from a slip at Bayonne Dry Dock & Repair Corp.

Intrepid’s 9:00 AM scheduled arrival was followed by an 11:00 AM welcome ceremony. Ceremony participants included Staten Island Borough President, James Molinaro; City Council Minority Leader, James Oddo and United States Coast Guard Commander, Eric Christensen. Additionally, there was a ceremonial wreath laying, honoring those who lost their lives on D-Day.

In her 58-day stay at Bayonne Dry Dock & Repair, Intrepid's hull was ultra-high-pressure water washed, primed and repainted, using some 5600 gallons of paint. The paint used on the flight deck was donated by PPG Protective and Marine Coatings. Using ultra-sonic technology, the hull’s thickness was gauged at more than 2,500 locations, and approximately 1,000 square feet of the hull’s structural steel was replaced. Additionally, Intrepid’s four bronze propellers, which dug into the mud and prevented Intrepid from leaving New York last November, were removed.

“We’re thrilled to arrive in Staten Island to begin the next phase of Intrepid’s refurbishment - and make Intrepid’s interior as gleaming as her freshly painted exterior. To arrive here on D-Day is a fitting tribute to all those who’ve given their lives in service to our Nation,” said Bill White, President of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

While in Staten Island, Intrepid will undergo the next phase of her refurbishment, and receive an $8 million interior renovation. Of that, $4.5 million has been raised – $3.5 million is yet to be procured. Never-before-seen areas of the ship including to fo’c’sle (commonly known as the anchor chain room), general berthing quarters and the ship’s machine shop will be opened to the public for the first time. The hangar deck will feature a new layout and design including new interactive exhibits.

“It is truly a unique privilege to have the intrepid berthed on Staten Island for repairs. The Intrepid served our Nation with extraordinary dedication and success. Staten Island is honored to be part of the process to restore her to her full glory and we welcome her with open arms,” said Staten Island Borough President, James P. Molinaro.

Established in 1982, the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum complex is comprised of the 900-foot-long aircraft carrier Intrepid with two full decks and four theme halls; the guided missile submarine Growler; and an extensive aircraft collection including the A-12 Blackbird, the fastest plane in the world, and the British Airways Concorde, the fastest commercial aircraft in the world. The Museum has been offering a wide variety of programs and events for children and adults. The Intrepid will return to a brand new, state-of-the-art Pier 86 on Manhattan’s West Side in the fall of 2008.