Eleven U.S. Navy (USN) and Coast Guard ships, and one Royal Canadian Navy ship, will arrive in New York Harbor at 8 a.m. today.
This Parade of Ships marks the start of the 29th year of Fleet Week New York, which has been held almost every year since 1984. During the weeklong celebration, New Yorkers can meet with the 3,700 participating Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, tour the ships, and watch events like the Coast Guard Silent Drill Team Performance and Freedom Run.
The ships come from across the country, from Florida and Virginia to New Jersey and Massachusetts.The flagship, Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsage (LHD 3), will be carrying hundreds of Marines from North Carolina.
The other participating ships include cutters USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) and USCGC Katherine Walker (WLM 552), cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and four USNA yard patrol crafts.
There will also be research ship RV Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27), missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82), coastal ship USS Zephyr (PC 8), USN Yuma (EPF 8) and Canadian coastal defense vessel HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701).
The ships will be open for general public tours daily throughout the week in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except on Sunday, May 28, when the USS Kearsage will be closed). The Manhattan ship tours will take place at Piers 88, 92 and Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Pier 86.