Fleet Week is Just Around the Corner in Seattle!
Seafair Fleet Week is almost here! Seafair Fleet Week has been a tradition in Seattle since 1950 with many ships annually coming into the Port of Seattle to celebrate this region’s premier summertime festival. Seafair partners with the Navy League Seattle Council and Port of Seattle, and honors the men and women of the military who proudly and courageously serve our country!
Seafair Fleet Week will take place Wednesday, End of July Early Aug. This event is free and open to the public and will feature vessels from the U.S. military.
Catch the Parade of Ships on Wednesday, July 29
Parade of Ships
Wednesday
The Boeing Maritime Celebration features the “Parade of Ships” as vessels conduct a majestic procession through Elliott Bay. Join Seafair and Boeing on the Seattle Waterfront for this spectacular arrival of the Fleet.
Ship Tours
A must see to get on board
When arriving for public tours, all visitors will be required to present a photo ID and pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint prior to boarding the ships. All visitors are subject to search prior to entering the security zone. Visitors are encouraged to bring as few items as possible when arriving for their tour and are recommended to wear flat-heeled, closed-toe shoes
PARTICIPATING SHIPS
U.S. NAVY:
Amphibious Assault Ship USS Boxer
(LHD 4) – Pier 90
USS Boxer stretches 844 feet in length and is the largest of all amphibious warfare ships; resembling a small aircraft carrier. The ship is not only capable of conducting aircraft operations but it also capable of supporting watercraft operations in its well deck. This class of ship provides the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter in addition to movement by landing craft. LHDs, like Boxer, have been participants in major humanitarian-assistance, occupation and combat operations in which the United States has been involved.
Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Gridley
(DDG 101) – Pier 66
USS Gridley returned home to San Diego from a nearly 10-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations on June 4th. The ship and her 300 sailors were part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group throughout the deployment. Guided missile destroyers are multi-mission; Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Anti-Surface Warfare surface combatants. The destroyer’s armament has greatly expanded the role of the ship in strike warfare utilizing the MK-41 Vertical Launch System.
Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Dewey Underway
Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Dewey
(DDG 105) – Pier 66
USS Dewey, along with USS Gridley, also returned home to San Diego from a nearly 10-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations on June 4th. As an integral part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group they, along with USS Gridley, provided support to strike operations in Iraq and Syria. They also participated in exercise Valiant Shield, a nine-day joint air, land and sea cooperation training between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army in waters near Guam and a bi-lateral training event with Malaysian military air and surface units.
U.S. COAST GUARD:
U.S. Coast Guard:
CGC Midgett
(WHEC 726) – Pier 66
USCGC Midgett is a 378 foot high-endurance cutter homeported in Seattle. It is designed to perform each of the U.S. Coast Guard’s
missions, which include search and rescue, homeland security operations, law enforcement and environmental protection, homeland security operations, law enforcement and environmental protection.
ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY:
HMCS Vancouver – Pier 90
HMCS Vancouver (MM 331) has served in the Canadian Forces since 1989 and spans 440 feet in length. The Halifax-class Frigates have been the backbone of Canadian naval operations. The ships are considered to be the best ships of their size in the world. With an on board helicopter, towed array sonar, offensive and defensive weapons, they bring a full package of capabilities to any operation. They are a welcome addition to any multi-national fleet and the only non-American ships the USN allows to be fully integrated in the US Surface Action Groups and Carrier Battle Groups.
Royal Canadian Navy Vessel HMCS Whitehorse
HMCS Whitehorse – Pier 69
HMCS Whitehorse (MM 705) has served in the Canadian Forces since 1998. The vessel spans 181 feet in length and is the sixth ship of its class. It was built for the Maritime Coastal Defense Vessel Project. In early March 2015, Whitehorse, in conjunction with the US Navy frigate USS Gary and the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Boutwell, intercepted a freighter in international waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean that led to the seizure of 11,500 pounds of cocaine. In late March, Whitehorse assisted the US Coast Guard in a second drug bust, this time in international waters off El Salvador. Over 1,300 pounds of cocaine was seized in the operation.
HMCS Brandon – Pier 69
HMCS Brandon (MM 710) has served in the Canadian Forces since 1999 and is currently assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific. The vessel is home ported at CFB Esquimalt and stretches 181
feet in length. Brandon, accompanied by Winnipeg, Calgary and Yellowknife, departed in October 2014 to take part in San Francisco Fleet Week and the Task Group Exercise with the US Navy in American coastal waters
PARADE OF SHIPS FINALE
Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration MH-65D
Search and Rescue, or SAR, is one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s oldest missions. At the Parade of Ships, the U.S. Coast Guard will demonstrate how they minimize the loss of life and injury by rendering aid to persons in distress in the maritime environment.
Watch the Parade of Ships on KIRO7 If You Can’t Catch it Live
LIVE BROADCAST FROM KIRO7 EYEWITNESS NEWS:
Tune in to KIRO7 Eyewitness News on Wednesday, July 29 for the Parade of Ships at 1:45 p.m. You won’t miss a minute of the action when you tune in to your official Seafair TV station.
EXHIBITORS
When you visit the Seattle Waterfront and Pier 66 for the Parade of Ships on Wednesday, July 29, check out interactive exhibits and booths from Seafair’s exhibitors:
• United Service Organizations (USO)
• Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)
• Seattle Navy League
• Navy Recruiting District Seattle
Take a Ship Tour During Fleet Week
SHIP TOURS
Take advantage of the opportunity to tour incredible U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy ships participating in Seafair Fleet Ship tours are FREE to the public! Public tours will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
PIER 66
U.S. Navy:
Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101)
Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105)
U.S. Coast Guard:
High-Endurance Cutter CGC Midgett
PIER 69
Royal Canadian Navy:
HMCS Brandon
HMCS Whitehorse
PIER 90
U.S. Navy:
Amphibious Assault Ship USS Boxer (LHD 4)
Royal Canadian Navy:
HMCS Vancouver
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Visitors should plan on wearing comfortable clothing. If you are bringing a handbag or camera case it will be searched prior to entering. Remember to bring sunscreen and sun- glasses. A ship is an industrial environment, so avoid high-heels, necklaces that can get caught, and bags that will be too heavy to carry comfortably. Open-toed shoes are not recommended.
Be Sure to Dress Appropriately for Walking Aboard a Navy Vessel
To get aboard the ships, visitors should look for clearly marked entrances. Everyone must go through a security check prior to accessing any ship. The security check is similar to what is present at most airports and consists of a walk-through metal detector and/or wand scan. To avoid delays, guests are encouraged to keep bags to a minimum, as all bags will be checked. Guests should be prepared to present a photo ID upon entering the security area and the magnetometers. Photography is permitted aboard the ships during the tours. Pictures of the security personnel or procedures are prohibited.
Seafair proudly supports all military services, and is grateful for their service to our country. In appreciation, Seafair offers free admission to all military personnel to Seafair Weekend Hydroplane Race and Air Show. For more information on Seafair Festival events visit Seafair.com.
We’ll see you at Fleet Week!
