Fleet Week is returning to Staten Island for the 35th year, with a week-long celebration set to kick off this week.
On May 24, 2023, the festivities will begin with a ceremonial parade of ships going through the New York Harbor.
Vessels from the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United Sates Naval Academy Yard Patrol, and NATO allies will pass by the Statue of Liberty, Fort Hamilton, and One World Trade Center.
Ships from Canada, Italy, and United Kingdom will join the parade of ships.
The parade of ships is scheduled to include the following:
—USS WASP (LHD-1): an Amphibious assault ship from Norfolk, Virginia;
—HMS Scott (H131): an ocean survey vessel from Plymouth, United Kingdom;
—HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701): from Nova Scotia, Canada;
—ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591): from La Spezia, Italy;
—USCGC Warren Deyampert (WPC-1151): a fast response cutter from Boston, Massachusetts;
—U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol Craft: Annapolis, Maryland;
—USS Oak Hill (LSD-51): a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship from Norfolk, Virginia;
—USNS Newport (T-EPF) a spearhead class fast transport from Norfolk, Virginia;
—USCGC Legare (WMEC-912): a medium endurance cutter from Portsmouth, Virginia.
These ships can be seen along the Hudson River from Battery Park to the south of the George Washington Bridge.
Last year’s Fleet Week was the first time it was held since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The city’s annual Fleet Week events were canceled in 2020 and 2021.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Fleet Week New York is scheduled for May 24 through May 30 and will include general public ship tours, aviation demonstrations, military band performances, and interactive displays throughout the tri-state area.
Ship tours are scheduled for Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier 88 (except for Sunday), and Pier 90 in Manhattan, and the Homeport Pier in Staten Island. The tours are free and open to the public.
Ship tours on Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Pier 86, will be conducted daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and are scheduled to depart Saturday, May 27.
The USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), USNS NewPort (T-EPF), and USCGC Legare (WMEC-912) will be at the Homeport Pier, in Stapleton.
Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. All bags and/or camera cases will be searched prior to entering. Ships are considered an industrial environment and guests should avoid open-toed sandals, high heels, necklaces, or other items that can get caught, as well as bags that are too heavy to carry comfortably.
There is no age requirement to tour USN, USNA, USCG, and Royal Navy ships during FWNY, however, adult visitors over the age of 18 are required to show a valid state or federally issued picture ID.
Additionally, tours may not be appropriate for small children or those with certain medical conditions. Strollers or baby carriages are permitted on the pier, but not allowed on the ships.
Ships are not handicap accessible, however, the pier facilities in Manhattan and Staten Island — including the exhibit area — are handicap accessible.
Photography is permitted aboard the ships during tours, however, photos of security personnel or procedures are prohibited.
The following are not permitted: electronic smoking devices, bottles, water bottles, cans or glass containers of any type; banners, posters, or signs of any type; mace, pepper spray, or other defensive sprays or chemicals; knives, firearms, fireworks or any explosive; illegal drugs or paraphernalia; flammable liquids or aerosol spray cans; club weapons; and animals. All electronic devices are subject to examination for functionality. The military services reserve the right to prohibit other items not listed above.
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(c) 2023 Staten Island Advance
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