Niantic prepares to be stormed

NIANTIC, Conn. (WTNH) -- The picture perfect beach at McCook Point Park in Niantic is about to be stormed.

At 4:15 p.m. Friday afternoon an LCAC will be deployed from the USS Carter Hall.

"It will look just like a white cloud as it blows up the water around it," said Submarine Base Commander Capt. Marc Denno.

It will be an impressive sight to kick off OpSail 2012. The entire beach will be cleared for the Navy demonstration, which will kick up a lot of sand.

If you think that's impressive, wait until you climb on board. Most are surprised to find out the 85 foot long amphibious vehicle, which can hold several Humvees or 300 marines, is a hovercraft.

"It's got four engines. Two engines are there for the actual lift to fill the actual skirt up to lift off the water and two engines for the actual propellers off the back for the thrust," explained Sailor Steve Metham.

"I think they'll like it. It will probably scare the young ones, but that will be okay," said Bradley Daniels of Norwich.

"This will be a beautiful view to start off a wonderful weekend," said East Lyme's First Selectman Paul Formica.

The Carter Hall itself will actually be about a mile and a half off shore, but in front of it will be the smaller Navy ships and several tall ships. They will gather at McCook Point Park before Saturday morning's parade of sail into New London.

Not on display is the Niantic Bay Boardwalk which is still in need of repair after tropical storm Irene.

"Yeah, you know we're disappointed that it hasn't been open all along, but we want to make sure that we do it right," Formica said.

Organizers are planning on doing the OpSail 2012 kick off right and downtown Niantic is ready to welcome the crew of the USS Carter Hall.