Coast Guard Barque Eagle Participates in Fleet Week

A press release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

Fleet Week New York is the city’s celebration of the sea services held since 1984. Fleet Week includes dozens of military demonstrations and displays throughout the week, as well as public visitation of many of the participating ships.

The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, a 295-foot barque used as a training vessel for future officers of the U.S. Coast Guard, is one of two active commissioned sailing vessels in American military service -- the other being the U.S.S. Constitution.

Each summer, Eagle conducts cruises with cadets from the United States Coast Guard Academy for periods ranging between a week to two months. The primary mission is training the cadets in basic seamanship and leadership skills, but the ship also performs a public relations role. Eagle makes calls at foreign ports as a goodwill ambassador and it is customary during these port calls for the captain and crew to hold an open house, welcoming guests aboard and offering tours of the vessel.