Lt. Commander Cameron Ingram of the USS Zephyr, a 2004 graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy, with Rear Admiral James A. Helis, USMMA Superintendent and Mrs. Helis. For the first time, US Navy Vessel has come to USMMA for Fleet Week New York © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com
Fleet Week is underway in New York City, May 24-30, and for the first time, the US Navy has brought one of its ships, the USS Zephyr, to US Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, Long Island.
Ships are positioned in all five boroughs, and in most cases are open to public to visit, and there are events in locations as far flung as Eisenhower Park, Nassau County, Long Island to Liberty State Park in New Jersey. (See below for schedules and locations.)
Tied up at the same pier as the Kings Pointer, the Zephyr is a fast, nimble Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship with guns forward and aft, capable of speeding through the waves at 35 knots that is used mainly to interdict and capture drug runners, mainly in the Caribbean Sea. Just last month, the ship captured 750 kilos of cocaine with a street value of $22.5 million, and the month before, 900 kilos worth $30 million. We get to walk through the ship, up to the control room, through the mess and into where the 28 crewmembers sleep in bunks (more like shelves) three high. The ship accommodates up to 40, with Coast Guard members and other specialists who come along.
Lt. Commander Cam Ingram shows the control room of the USS Zephyr, a Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Zephyr is commanded by Lt. Commander Cam Ingram, a 2004 graduate of the USMMA, and it isn’t really a coincidence that the ship is here for Fleet Week (as opposed to the Bronx). He said he was grateful to be back, and recalled that when he first entered Kings Point, he could see the Twin Towers; by the time he left, they were gone. While among the service academies, the Merchant Marine (the only one of the service academies that flies the battle standard for the cadets it lost in battle during World War II), offers its graduates a lot more options in terms of how they fulfill their service. All graduate with Coast Guard licenses and can go into the US Naval Reserves and many go from here into commercial shipping, the merchant marine as well as the armed forces. Ingram went immediately into the US Navy.
Lt. Commander Cam Ingram is justifiably proud of the awards the USS Zephyr has won, including the big “E” for winning 2016 “best in class” © 2017 Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com
We get to see the tattered flag that marks how the ship survived the fury of Hurricane Matthew this past year, which hit directly at its homeport of Mayport, Florida.
He took over command of the Zephyr a year ago – during which the ship earned the coveted best-ship in its class honor – and already knows his next posting, in the Pentagon.
For Fleet Week, visiting the ship, which is tied to the same pier as the academy’s Kings Pointer training ship, is by invitation – groups like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and sea cadets have been invited.
The USS Zephyr tied up at the US Merchant Marine Academy pier along with the Kings Pointer © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
There are many more ships that can be toured (they are positioned in all five boroughs), activities and performances, including at Eisenhower Park, Nassau (see schedules and listings below).
Fleet Week, taking place May 24-30, is the largest event of its kind, with five US Navy ships, four US Naval Academy (USNA) Yard Patrol boats (YPs), two U.S. Coast Guard cutters (USCGC), and one Royal Canadian Navy ship, some 3,700 sailors, marines and Coast Guardsmen and a total of some 135 events.
Ship and pier locations include:
Manhattan, Pier 88: • Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), from Norfolk, Virginia. USS Kearsarge will be embarking several hundred Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Manhattan, Pier 92: • Legend-class cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753), from Charleston, South Carolina • Kingston-class coastal defence vessel HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701), from Canadian Forces Base Halifax
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Pier 86: (Vessels will depart Saturday, May27) • Four USNA YPs, from Annapolis, Maryland • Oceanographic research ship RV Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27), from Woods Hole, Massachusetts Brooklyn Cruise Terminal: • Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), from Norfolk, Virginia • Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), from Norfolk, Virginia
Homeport Pier, Staten Island: • Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82), from Mayport, Florida • Keeper-class cutter USCGC Katherine Walker (WLM 552), from Bayonne, New Jersey
Kings Point (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy): (Not open for general public tours) • Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship USS Zephyr (PC 8), from Mayport, Florida
Bronx/SUNY Maritime College: (Not open for general public tours) • Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Yuma (EPF 8)
Ship tours will be conducted daily throughout the week in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of USS Kearsarge, which will be closed for tours on Sunday, May 28 due to cruise ship operations.
Ship tours on Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Pier 86, will be open Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Now in its 29th year, FWNY is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services.
This year, FWNY is commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Naval Construction Forces’ “Seabees.”
Aviation Events Highlight Sea Services During 2017 Fleet Week New York
In support of Fleet Week New York (FWNY), the U.S. sea services will host a variety of aviation static displays to showcase the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services, May 25-29.
Public Events: (Events are free and open to the general public)
May 27:
- 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, N.Y. – Event will include U.S. Navy (USN) Parachute Team “The Leap Frogs,” USN and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) aviation static displays, personnel equipment, EOD demonstration, as well as a performance by Navy Band Northeast “Rhode Island Sound.”
- Noon – 12:30 p.m., Homeport Pier, Staten Island, N.Y. – A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter will conduct a search and rescue demonstration over open water near the pier. During the demonstration, the helicopter crew will drop a mannequin into the water to simulate a person in distress. A rescue swimmer will then jump into the water to secure the mannequin, then both will be lifted securely back into the helicopter.
May 28:
- Noon – 4 p.m., Rye Playland, Rye, N.Y. – Event will include a ceremony in honor of Memorial Day for veterans and USMC aviation static displays.
- Noon – 5 p.m., Liberty State Park, Jersey City, N.J. – Event will include a parachute jump by The Leap Frogs, USN helicopter demonstration with EOD fast rope, USCG search and rescue demonstration, and performances by the USCG Silent Drill Team, USMC Battle Color Detachment and Navy Band Northeast.
May 29
- 2 – 6 p.m., Glen Island Park, New Rochelle, New York – Event will feature USMC aviation static displays. • 2 – 2:30 p.m., Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86N | Manhattan, New York – A USCG helicopter will conduct a search and rescue demonstration.
- 4:10 p.m., Citi Field, Flushing, N.Y. – During the annual New York Mets Military Appreciation Game at Citi Field, The Leap Frogs will jump into the stadium. Additionally, military personnel from all five branches will be represented on the field, the Joint Service Color Guard will present colors, and a member of Navy Band Northeast will sing the national anthem. The Mets will be taking on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard to Hold Public Performances During Fleet Week New York
During Fleet Week New York (FWNY), Navy Band Northeast, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Silent Drill Team and Marine Corps (USMC) Battle Color Detachment are scheduled to perform at various locations, May 23-28.
Events include: (All events are free and open to the general public.)
Tuesday, May 23
- Noon – 1:15 p.m., Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. – Navy Band Northeast will perform a concert in Central Park’s Naumburg Band Shell. Wednesday, May 24th
- 1 – 1:30 p.m., 9/11 Memorial Plaza, Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform on the 9/11 Memorial Plaza.
Thursday, May 25
- 9 – 9:30 a.m., 9/11 Memorial Plaza | Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform on the 9/11 Memorial Plaza.
- 11 – 11:30 a.m., Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Ave.) | Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Friday, May 26
- 1:15 – 1:45 p.m., 9/11 Memorial Plaza, Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform on the 9/11 Memorial Plaza.
- 5:30 – 6 p.m., Military Island (Times Square), Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform at Military Island in Times Square.
- 8 – 9:15 p.m., Military Island (Times Square), Manhattan, N.Y. – Navy Band Northeast’s Rock Band, Rhode Island Sound, will perform at Military Island in Times Square.
Saturday, May 27
- 2:30 p.m. (tentative), Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N.Y. – USMC Battle Color Detachment is scheduled to perform during Marine Day at Prospect Park.
- 10 a.m. – noon, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, N.Y. – Navy Band Northeast’s Rock Band, Rhode Island Sound, will perform at Eisenhower Park.
- 11 – 11:30 p.m., Intrepid, Pier 86, Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform on the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86.
- 2 – 2:30 p.m., Intrepid, Pier 86, Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform on the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86.
- 3:30 – 4 p.m., Military Island (Times Square), Manhattan, N.Y. – USCG Silent Drill Team will perform at Military Island in Times Square.
- 6 – 7:15 p.m., Military Island (Times Square), Manhattan, N.Y. – Navy Band Northeast’s Rock Band, Rhode Island Sound, will perform at Military Island in Times Square.
- 8 – 9 p.m., Father Duffy Square (Times Square), Brooklyn, N.Y. – USMC Battle Color Detachment is scheduled to perform in Times Square in front of the TKTS red steps.
Sunday, May 28
- 10 – 10:30 a.m., 9/11 Memorial Plaza, Manhattan, N.Y. – USMC Battle Color Detachment is scheduled to perform at the conclusion of the Fleet Week Freedom Run.
- Noon – 5 p.m., Liberty State Park, Jersey City, N.J. – Event will include a performance by Navy Band Northeast.
- 4 – 5:15 p.m., Military Island (Times Square), Manhattan, N.Y. – Navy Band Northeast’s Rock Band, Rhode Island Sound, will perform at Military Island in Times Square.
For up-to-date information on all FWNY events, visit the official FWNY website at www.fleetweeknewyork.com, “Like” FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, or “Follow” @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. FWNY photos can be viewed on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwnypao and Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/fleetweeknyc. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC. Follow the Seabee Commemoration at #Seabee75th.
See also:
USAF Thunderbirds to Headline Memorial Day Weekend Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Long Island
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