Cape Town — Environmental lobby group Earthlife Africa say it will oppose the docking of the USS Theodore Roosevelt - one of the world's most powerful nuclear vessels - in South African waters in October.

The massive nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier is expected to arrive in Table Bay on a courtesy visit between October 1 and 10 on invitation from the SA Navy.

The 332 metre US aircraft carrier, nicknamed "the Big Stick" or TR, has 5 700 people on board, carries 90 aircraft and saw her first action in the 1991 Gulf War.

The exact date of arrival of the super-carrier and its mission destination cannot be released for security reasons.

But the Western Cape branch of Earthlife Africa says they don't want the vessel "anywhere near" Cape Town.

Earthlife Africa spokesperson Keenen van Wyk said that although there wasn't much they could do to stop the vessel from entering South African waters, they would protest outside the harbour as soon as the carrier arrives.

He said Earthlife Africa was also in the process of submitting a memorandum to the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) to have the visit cancelled.

"Having this big nuclear vessel in our waters poses a danger and threat to humanity," said Van Wyk.

"There are no safety precautions in place and the planned visit is just days away. Anything could go wrong, and then the people in the Western Cape are at risk."

Any nuclear-powered vessel entering South Africa's waters must apply for a licence from the NNR.

The licence application involves safety reports, environmental impact reports and public comment.

The licence is believed to have been granted to the vessel earlier in Septmber, but is still open to public comment until the end of September.

SA Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Greyling van den Berg said the navy was excited about the visit and has planned a series of meetings with the Americans during their one-week stay.

However, the vessel, which will be stationed outside the Cape Town harbour, will not be open to the public.

"We are, however, trying to arrange for the media to have a closer look," said Van den Berg.

The 90 000ton aircraft carrier, which is more than three times the length of a rugby stadium, has a complement of 3 200 naval personnel, which is nearly half the size of the SA Navy.

It is also home to 2 480 air wing personnel. The remaining 20 are kitchen personnel.

The ship carries 90 aircraft and helicopters, a number almost equivalent to the size of the SA Air Force.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt has taken part in several operations including conducting flight operations in support of Operations Deny Flight and Sharp Guard over the skies of Bosnia.

After the events of 9/11, it launched the initial strikes of Operation Enduring Freedom against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

The vessel is part of the US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and is one of the largest warships to have set sail.

Other carriers in her subclass include the USS Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and the Harry S Truman.