To some it might have the feel of one of those May Day parades in the Soviet Union from the 60's, but to me it is a chance to see the skills and be proud of the "good guys."
I was told that the Friday of Fleet Week is a good day to take the boat out on the water, the Coast Guard blocks off a big area in front of the city, the same area they block off for the airshow Saturday and Sunday. Hmm this would lead one to think maybe the practice on Friday is really the same as the show on the weekend. That's what my friend said happens, and so I made it a 3 day weekend to see for myself.
I headed over from Alameda to The Ramp to pick up 3 friends. Pretty amazing in this come and go world that these 3 have been friends for a very long time. That kind of thing doesn't happen much today. These are some good people and I really like my time with them, if on email lists, or in person.
The Ramp is next to the San Francisco Boat Works, and the historic dry docks of BAE Systems, formerly Union Iron Works and Bethlehem Steel it is one of the oldest continuously operating civilian shipyards in the country. Union Iron Works was founded in 1850, and moved to this 23 acre yard in 1881, at which time they employed 1,300 people, building ships, bridges, mining machinery, and weapons for use in developing the West. The yard was later bought by Bethlehem Steel which built dozens of destroyers and repaired submarines here during World War II. (source)
Cruise ships and other big boats are still repaired there. I have always liked the fact that in this high tech city, there is still a working yard like it around. A lunch at The Ramp is both a good place to grub in an outdoor setting and you really feel a part of the history of the city there. If you get lucky you get to see a big ship moved in or out of the dry dock.
Much more on the history of the area near Pier 70 at www.pier70sf.org.
Anyway mine isn't so big!
So with a quick pick up around 1:15 we made a short run out to the shoal just off Alcatraz. I quickly noticed that there were very few boats out on this Friday practice day. Another big reason to go. I had my friend Wayne as my anchor monkey, and we dropped about 120 feet of line in 35 feet of water. I backed down, the anchor dug in, we were set.
The tide was going out but a pretty good wind was blowing in. The combination kept us with the bow pointed at the Golden Gate Bridge, and the stern pointed at Berkeley. That made for a pretty good view, and we were blocked from most of the wind.
So now it was showtime!
Among those flying during Fleet Week are John Pigott of Lafayette CA. (Nice article here) in his Russian Sukhoi Su-29. John had to be pretty pleased that the ViperWest team of the Air Force was flying in the show. His son Russ is one of the pilots of their F-16 Vipers.
Also in the show were the Patriots Jet Demonstration Team, pilots with some pretty impressive backgrounds.
My favorite Fleet Week performer might be pilot Sean D. Tucker of the Team Oracle, the "can you see me" bright red biplane.
Check out the website and click the enter link on the right. It will take you to his performance videos, and you can learn about the custom plane. Sean D. Tucker narrated some of his flight during the show, and you can't help but be caught up in his spirit of flight.
The main event of the show is The Blue Angels. Wow what a show, it lasts about 45 minutes, they fly in a group of 6, then break off to 2 solo planes and a group of 4.
It is really something to see and hear, especially when they fly right over your head.
Friday was "the show" with fewer boats on the water and lots of planes in the sky. It was a good day to go.
I went again with family on Saturday. Waaaaay more boats!
I tried to squeeze into about the same place I anchored Friday, but it didn't work out. I was in about 35 feet of water, but wanted to let out lots of anchor line again to get a good hold on the bottom. I tried a few times, but just couldn't get a good spot I liked that wasn't too close to other boats or the rockpile known as Little Alcatraz that has claimed many a boat over the years. I didn't want to be near that if the anchor popped out! The way the anchor works you get a better hold with more line out and less of an angle from the bottom to the boat. My anchor (and almost all) just dropped off the bow won't hold well or at all. So you need to let out line for a good hold, more is better. But there were lots of boats out there and not really room to do that, at least not as much as I wanted to do.
My anchor monkeys were a little stressed out, and we still had time to move, so, after getting razzed by the rail birds on the Happy Hooker :), we just moved off Alcatraz towards the Golden Gate Bridge, dropped 120 feet of anchor line, I backed down to let it dig in, and no problem. Me and the anchor monkeys, anchored and relaxed. It held all day.
Thanks to my crew and guests on both days. They make it easy and possible for me to go, and we all had a fun time.
Fleet Week viewing tips?
For good photos with San Francisco in the background head to Alcatraz with long lens and a tripod. If there is no fog you'll get great shots. If you go Friday you'll get less of a crowd on the island making it easier to do. In fact any day of Fleetweek Alcatraz is a pretty good place to watch. And you get to go to Alcatraz, take the audio tour narrated by former guards there.
The best place to watch is on shore in San Francisco. You hear the PA announcer telling you what is going on, and the view is the best. The show happens right over your head.
If you are boating, get a spot early in the day, know that everything about your anchoring system works, and instruct your anchor monkeys well before you leave. My most important instruction: fingers stay away from the anchor winch!
Have at least 150 to 200 feet of line to let out. Find a good open place to use it with at least 3 to 1 ratio (40 ft of water gets 120 ft of line) to dig in. Watch land marks during the day to see if you are drifting or if the anchor popped.
Have fun.
Here's a slideshow of these photos with bigger versions and a few more in the mix.
Thanks to Mala and Rusty for the photos!
Latitude 38 coverage here.
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