Fleet Week Begins Today

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.)

• 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.

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