Parade of Ships Confusion

With apologies for the confusion over the Parade of Ships, I blogged that the Saturday Parade was postponed and would take place Sunday.

This was published from info on line, but confusion reigned over a Navy statement that the Parade was cancelled that day but that the ships would be arriving Sunday.

"The Parade of Fleet Week Ships that was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008, has been cancelled. Due to unfavorable water conditions, the U.S. Navy regretfully advises that the ships will instead arrive on the morning of Sunday, October 12, 2008."

What wasn't clear was that the ships would be sailing in without a Parade.

According to the San Fran Chronicle who published their info on Saturday, the Parade was cancelled because the guided missile destroyer, the USS Pinckney, and the amphibious assault ship, USS Bonhomme Richard, were delayed by heavy seas.

Instead, the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf and the World War 11 Liberty ship, the USS Jeremiah O'Brien, that is normally moored and open for viewing at Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf, did a mini-parade on Saturday morning before the air show.

The Pinckney and the Bonhomme Richard arrived early on Sunday morning. These pics are of the aircraft carrier USS Bonhomme Richard moored early Sunday morning south of the Embarcadero and Bay Bridge.

It would have been helpful if the official Fleet Week website had updated their info.

Visiting tours of the ships started yesterday from 11 am to 4 pm and are at the same time today.