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Fleet Week Begins Today

After their budget-related 2013 hiatus, the Blue Angels and other aerial daredevils will be back this weekend. Pictured here, stunt planes and Navy jets share Bay Area skies during a practice run in 2008. 

© 2014 Noah Berger AP

For decades the weekend of Fleet Week has been a favorite time for boaters of all stripes to get out on the waters of San Francisco Bay. It’s great fun to be out amongst ’em, and to feel an infusion of patriotism coursing through your veins as the Blue Angels roar overhead. But we would caution you to also keep one eye on your surroundings, because Fleet Week — like Opening Day — tends to bring out all sorts of boaters whose seamanship skills and knowledge of the rules of the road are something less than stellar. Beware also that every maritime policing agency will be out in force, so don’t get carried away with the celebratory mood. 

Ship tours begin today, and aerial acrobatics rehearsals begin tomorrow, with the biggest events being:

• Friday, 11 a.m. — The Parade of Ships — participating naval vessels will pass beneath the Golden Gate at 11 a.m. Friday, inbound for San Francisco waterfront docks. Note: No vessel will be permitted to cross the parade line or interfere with the safe transit of the parade participants. (A 500-yard protective zone will also be enforced around each naval vessel the entire time they are in port.)

"Area Alpha" will be closed during the Parade of Ships event, October 10 between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Traffic will be restricted throughout most of the Central Bay from the Golden Gate Bridge to just south of the Bay Bridge.

US Coast Guard
©2014Latitude 38 Media, LLC

• Saturday & Sunday, 12:30 – 4 p.m. Hang onto your hat — and your pacemaker — as the US Navy’s Blue Angels will be back along with other aerial performers: Sean Tucker and Team Oracle, The Patriots Jet Team and Lucas Oil.

Area "Bravo" will be closed during the Blue Angels’ rehearsals and shows: Oct. 9 & 10, 12:30 to 5 p.m.; October 11 & 12, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

US Coast Guard
©2014Latitude 38 Media, LLC

For more complete info on this year’s events visit visit www.fleetweek.org and www.airshownetwork.comor call the San Francisco Fleet Week Association at (415) 306-0911.

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