Throughout Fleet Week, thousands of visitors climb aboard amphibious carriers, destroyers and cruisers docked at the Embarcadero to get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of the sailors serving in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy.
Due to the Navy’s current operational security posture, we cannot confirm the names of ships participating in San Francisco Fleet Week until the ships are pierside. Thank you for understanding.
NO BACKPACKS on ship tours – full guidelines below
Ship biographies will be posted when the fleet arrives.
USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6)
LHD = United States Navy Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and the third United States Navy ship of the same name. She was named in honor of John Paul Jones’ famous frigate, which he had named the French for of “Good Man Richard,” in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the U.S. Ambassador to France at the time.
LCU = Landing Craft Utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers.
USS MANCHESTER LCS-14
LCS = is an Independence-class littoral combat ship in the United States Navy. The ship’s keel was laid on 29 June 2015, at Mobile, Alabama. The initials of New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ship’s sponsor, were welded into the hull of LCS during the traditional keel laying ceremony. This LCS was christened on 7 May 2016 and launched on 12 May 2016. She was commissioned on 26 May 2018.
USS SCOUT (MCM 8)
MCM = United States Navy Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship. The Avengerclass ships were designed to have very low acoustic and magnetic signatures to avoid detonating mines. While most modern warships have steel hulls, the Avengers have wooden hulls with an external coating of fiberglass. They are equipped with sophisticated mine hunting and classification sonar as well as remotely operated mine neutralization and disposal systems.
USS DEWEY (DDG 105)
Not attending SFFW ’18
HMCS VANCOUVER (Royal Canadian Navy)
HMCS VANCOUVER = HMCS VANCOUVER is a Halifax-class frigate, of the Royal Canadian Navy, launched on 8 July 1989, as the second vessel of her class. She is currently based at CFB Esquimalt on the west coast of Canada. She is the third vessel to be named after Vancouver, British Columbia.
USCGC ACTIVE (US Coast Guard)
USCGC ACTIVE = (WMEC – 618) USCGC ACTIVE is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter. Active was launched at Christy Corporation, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on July 31, 1965; she is homeported in Port Angeles Washington under the operational and administrative control of Commander, Pacific Area (COMPACAREA).
MV JOHN B DILLARD (Army Corps of Engineers)
MV CAPE HORN
Ship Tours
All ship tours are free of charge
Friday 11 October
Parade of Ships
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Saturday 12 October
Ship Tours – Day 3
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday 13 October
Ship Tours – Day 4
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monday 14 October
Ship Tours – Day 5
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Conduct During Shipboard Tours
The public is encouraged to attend tours and interact with Sailors, Coasties and Marines.
When touring the ships, 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. High heel shoes are not permitted.
No pre-registration or RSVP is required; visitation to all participating San Francisco Fleet Week vessels is on a first come, first served basis.
All persons visiting the ships 18 years of age and over are required to show a valid state/federal government issued photo identification card.
Tours may not be appropriate for those with certain medical conditions. There are steep ladders (stairways) to climb and uneven surfaces to traverse during a ship tour, and thus, tours may be difficult for parents carrying young children
Failure to consent to screening and inspection will result in denial of authorization to enter the property
Valid U.S. Government issued photo I.D. required for EACH person 18 and over (i.e. Driver’s License or passport). Entry without I.D. is prohibited.
Minors (17 and under) must be accompanied by an adult.
No children under the age of 7.
Open-toe shoes are not recommended.
Stroller parking is not available.
All visitors will remain with the tour guide at all times and will not deviate from the dedicated tour route.
Report any suspicious activity immediately to any military or police personnel.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and/or paraphernalia, including marijuana
- Smoking, dipping, or chewing gum while onboard USN Ships or within 100FT of watch standers
- Food and drinks, including ice chests and coolers
- Pets (including service animals)
- Glass containers
- Guns, knives, clubs, or weapons of any kind
- Large backpacks, oversized camera bags, or large purses
- Skateboards/bicycles/scooters
- Gang-related clothing
- Special consideration will be given to items that accompany small children, handicapped, and/or elderly visitors
- Defensive chemicals or sprays, including mace, pepper spray, and aerosol spray cans
- Fireworks, flammable liquids or other explosives
- Large bags, large purses, including backpacks, and large camera bags.
All personnel are screened and all bags are searched before entering the pier.
THERE ARE NO HOLDING AREAS FOR PERSONAL ITEMS SUCH AS, BICYCLES, BABY STROLLERS, STROLLERS, SCOOTERS, PETS etc.
Due to security reasons, all such items will not be permitted to remain on or near the pier areas.
For security reasons, all such items will be removed from the pier and may be searched or otherwise disposed of.
All visitors must abide by these guidelines