The 2,800 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington are getting just that, although not all of them are loving it. They're staying in town after their ship caught fire May 22 and came to North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado for repairs.

NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune Sailors from the George Washington, undergoing repairs here, were guests at a party yesterday. Events included mock sumo wrestling; Jonathan Redmon (left) and Jeffrey Henriquez had at it.

The carrier was traveling from its former home in Norfolk, Va., to Yokosuka, Japan, where it's slated to replace the retiring carrier Kitty Hawk.

Crew members of the George Washington still don't know when they'll be reunited with family members, plus household goods they haven't seen since early April.

“Not knowing, this waiting – that's the worst part,” said Seaman Martin Carrillo Jr., 22, of Las Vegas.

Timeline Dec. 1, 2005: Navy announces aircraft carrier George Washington will replace retiring carrier Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan, in 2008. April 7, 2008: George Washington leaves home port of Norfolk, Va., headed for Japan via San Diego and Hawaii. May 22: Fire damages 80 rooms and melts hundreds of electrical cables on the carrier. May 27: Ship arrives in San Diego for assessment and repairs. Early August: George Washington and Kitty Hawk expected to meet in San Diego to transfer equipment and about 600 personnel. Late August: Repairs on George Washington expected to be complete, after which the carrier will travel to Japan. Kitty Hawk will proceed to Bremerton, Wash., for decommissioning.

Yesterday, the sailors were the honored guests at an afternoon party called “Day of Champions.”

The military-affiliated group Yellow Ribbon Team put on the event, with backing from Navy Region Southwest and the San Diego Military Advisory Council. The party featured free food and soft drinks, a blues band and visits from Padres and Chargers players.

More than 1,100 sailors turned out.

“It's very, very cool,” said Cmdr. Bill Skinner, the George Washington's supply officer. “The city hasn't forgotten about taking care of its sailors.”

The Navy hasn't determined the cause of the fire or how much the repairs will cost, said Lt. Cmdr. Bill Urban, the ship's spokesman.

Most of the 80 rooms that suffered smoke, heat or water damage have been repaired, he said. But more than 400 electrical cables, plus an extensive fiber-optic network, must be rebuilt painstakingly. The best estimate is that the work will wrap up in late August.

The carrier's sailors are enjoying the sights and gentle breezes of San Diego as best they can, with limited transportation options and cramped living quarters aboard ship.

The ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation department has provided van service around the North Island base and bus trips to Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, the San Diego Zoo and the county fair in Del Mar.

For the few with family members living nearby, the San Diego sojourn has been a mixed blessing.

“It's great to be close to my parents,” said Lt. Kittima Boonsirisermsook, 29, of Santa Ana. “But I joined the Navy so I could see the world, not get stuck in San Diego. I really want to go to Japan.”

Steve Liewer: (619) 498-6632; steve.liewer@uniontrib.com