A decades-long Seafair tradition sailed into Seattle this weekend.
This year's fleet week featured ships from the United States and Canadian Navies that allowed visitors from the public to climb aboard and learn more about what exactly the Navy does.
"This is our second time here," said Stacy Amberg, who brought her two kids Ryan and Kiersten to tour the ships docked in Queen Anne. "My dad was in the civil service in the Navy. I grew up in Southern California between two naval bases."
Families gathered in line waiting to board the USS Somerset, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship used to transport Naval officers, sailors, and Marines.
Giddy kids jumped around in line, impatient to get in.
"We came today because our boy is interested in the military," said Stacey Wang, who brought her kids Jayden and Jasmine. "And we missed it last year," her husband Joe added.
Standing tall and colored in a steely gray, the Somerset stood out among the cruise ships docked around her. Sailors from the Everett Naval base in their summer whites ran around the ship directing pedestrian traffic. On board, sailors currently serving on the Somerset, which is homeported in San Diego, gave tours to groups of twenty.
Inside the Somerset, the floors teemed with people excitedly trying out all the technology that the Navy has to offer. Remote controlled electronics, rocket launchers, amphibious vehicles, and medical tent displays packed the otherwise large area full of options to explore.
"The most important thing about fleet week is that everyone who wants to come can feel comfortable, ask questions, and connect with the military," said Daequan Clark, E4.
Clark joined the Navy about five and a half years ago and works as one of the boat's Navy dentists.
"I like to smile, and I like to see smiling faces, which is why I'm a dentist," Clark told his group before beginning the tour. Outside of the Navy, Clark says he's an artist and records and composes his own music.
On board, Clark took his group from wide open decks and floors used for aircraft to narrow stairs and passageways connecting the inside of the massive ship. 300 Navy sailors and officers and 700 marines serve on board the Somerset, making it a small floating city.
At the very top of the ship, visitors had a chance to enter the bridge and sit in the captain's chair, learning about all the navigation equipment.
Ensign Sharon Wehmeyer gave a basic rundown of what each console does and her job when it comes to navigation.
"My favorite part is steering the ship," Wehmeyer said excitedly. "I like the teamwork, working with the other officers and sailors."
"I love Seattle," she said, "what is really neat about fleet week is the kind of conversations you can have."
Everyone onboard welcomed visitors enthusiastically and were more than happy to answer any questions. Overwhelmingly, the sentiment among sailors was to open their arms to the public and proudly show off their ship.
As Wehmeyer sums it up, "I want to talk to people about anything, about the ship or their personal life. We get to be visible at fleet week and make these kinds of connections."
