BUCKSPORT – The U.S. Navy has agreed to a request from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe to allow a ship to visit the town this July during the Fort Knox Bay Festival.

The Navy will send the USS Hayler (DD-997), a Spruance-class destroyer, to participate in the event.

The destroyer is expected to arrive July 26 and depart July 29.

Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., the ship has a crew of 30 officers and 352 enlisted personnel. Its primary mission is to help safeguard larger ships in a fleet or battle group.

The ship’s Web site is www.hayler.navy.mil/.