THREE US warships are due to liven up the weekend on Phuket, with the Phuket Navy League going into entertainment mode for another contingent of welcome sailors.

Travel alerts may have scared off some tourists but the ones in uniform clearly believe Phuket is a perfectly safe place to be at anchor. Arriving in time for the weekend parting will be USS Curts (FFG 38), USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and USCGC Mellon (WHEC 717).

The Mellon is a Coast Guard High Endurance Cutter, home-ported in Seattle, and its missions usually include search and rescue, defense operations, law enforcement, and environmental protection. Its role along the Western seaboard north to Alaska appears a little different for now.

The Vandergrift is a Perry class guided missile frigate while the Curts' primary mission is to escort convoys, underway replenishment groups, carrier strike groups, and expeditionary strike groups.

''Curts' gun, anti-submarine warfare systems, embarked helicopters, and high speed capability make her a well balanced platform capable of carrying out a multitude of other missions, including counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism missions,'' the official website says.

A welcoming party for officers and selected crew is expected to be confirmed for 7pm-9pm on Tuesday at the BBQ Hut Smokehouse, Rat-U-Thit Road (across from Mercure hotel), Patong, with League members paying 200 baht, visitors: 400 baht and Navy personnel and VIPs all free.

The Honky Tonk Bar, a ''community affiliate,'' is holding a "Free Food" session for the crews of all ships on Sunday. ''Mix and welcome with the crew from these three ships visiting Phuket,'' goes the invitation.

''Free food and special offers on drinks. Help to support our community affiliate members supporting the ships.''