The United States Navy nuclear supercarrier USS Carl Vinson set sail to USA after a short stay in Punta Arenas bay, on its way back after contributing to the relief effort Operation Unified response after Haiti earthquake.

The Vinson provided medical health and used its desalination capacity to provide water to Haiti's population. The carrier has a 5 thousand crew and 60 F-18, exploration, passengers airplanes besides helicopters. It sailed the Strait of Magellan helped by the Chilean Navy, for supplying.

Commander in Chief of the Third Naval Zone, rear admiral Rafael Gonzalez, said the carrier received the help of "two Chilean pilots to steer the ship in the Strait, when coming in and coming out. Those are regular exercises between both countries navies, thanks to good relations".
The carrier commandant, admiral Ted Branch, thanked the help, specially for their skill in these complicated waters.

"We are thankful to the Chilean Navy for the help granted and we shall be more grateful when the Strait becomes narrower", he added laughing. Punta Arenas is the only national bay where the carrier was for some hours.

It"ll only do exercises with the Chilean Navy near Valparaiso and Iquique without stopping".