The parade of ships marking the kickoff of the 37th annual Fleet Week made its grand entrance into New York City today. According to ABC7 New York, the flotilla traveled up the Hudson River, passing by the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This weeklong celebration, starting today, and lapping up on Monday, is a chance for the public to connect with service members and to see the latest military technologies up close.
For those keen to witness the spectacle, CBS News New York reports that live coverage of the fleet traversing the Hudson was available through their video player, though Chopper 2 was unable to to fly above the procession due to weather conditions. The observing crowd saw an array of vessels, including the USS New York and the USS Oak Hill, gracing the waters near symbolic New York landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park before the parade concluded just shy of the George Washington Bridge.
Fleet Week 2025 is more than just a visual display; it is themed "Honoring the Past, Defending the Future: 250 Years of Sea Service Excellence" according to a statement by Rear Adm. Carl Lahti, Commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. "This year's Fleet Week New York is especially meaningful as we commemorate our Navy's 250 years of maritime excellence and unwavering commitment to freedom and global security," Lahti explained, as reported by CBS News New York.
Featured in the week's events are free activities, interactive displays on Pier 86, a free screening of "Top Gun" on the flight deck, and a Memorial Day commemoration ceremony.
Throughout the week, several ships will be available for public tours, including two U.S. Navy ships, two U.S. Coast Guard cutters, and five U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats. The Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Frédérick Rolette, while participating in the festivities, will not be open for tours. Ships like the USS New York will dock at Pier 88, while the USS Oak Hill and the USCGC Sturgeon Bay will be stationed at Staten Island's Homeport Pier, set to receive visitors eager to step aboard and explore these maritime marvels.
As Fleet Week sails onwards, New Yorkers and visitors alike are invited to dive into the immersive virtual reality experience, "Explore Intrepid: Engines and Boilers," previewing at the museum. This technological journey transports participants directly into the heart of the legendary aircraft carrier's engineering spaces, as revealed by ABC7 New York. Set to open to the broader public on May 28, this VR adventure promises to add another layer to the multifaceted Fleet Week experience. For those who missed the initial aquatic parade or wish to further engage with this time-honored maritime tradition, there remain abundant opportunities to do so throughout the week.
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