Staten Island Fleet Week: Public Ship Tours

Fleet Week takes place from May 22 to May 28 with the theme, “Fleet Week New York…Celebrating Those Who Serve.”

Three ships will dock at the Homeport Pier in Stapleton and will be open for tours from Thursday, May 23, to Monday May 27, from noon to 5 p.m.:

USS Marinette, a combat ship, was built in Marinette, Wisc., and was launched into the Menominee River in Michigan on Oct. 31, 2020. She was designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines, and fast surface crafts.

The U.S Coast Guard Cutter Katherine Walker: As the Coast Guard’s premier maritime command and control platform in the tri-tristate area, the USCG Katherine Walker is used extensively for Homeland Security and to man high-profile events, such as the United Nation General Assembly and the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks. The cutter is known as “the Keeper of the Harbor,” so named for Kate Walker who was the keeper of the Robbins Reef Lighthouse. In his dying breaths, Kate’s husband, John, left her with this these three words, “Mind the light, Kate.” And for three decades, Kate Walker carried out her husband’s final wishes, minding the Robbins Reef Lighthouse.

Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun: The National Security Cutter is the largest and most technologically advanced ship in the Coast Guard. The ship has an endurance of up to 90 days and can serve as operational-level headquarters for complex law enforcement, defense, and national security missions involving multiple partner agencies.

And, join in a musical celebration featuring the 20-piece Navy Ceremonial Band and Jazz Quintet at the Homeport Pier on Saturday, May 25. The music starts at noon.

There will also be a Search and Rescue demonstration in the harbor by the United States Coast Guard.