Tickets For all those fascinated by the commissioning of the Navy’s third vessel named in honor of the Garden State, but unable to secure an invitation to attend Saturday’s major event at NWS Earle’s pier in Leonardo, the Navesink Queen is offering a delightful alternative.
Classic Boat Rides Capt. Dan Schade is offering a special tour on the paddle wheel boat to see the commissioning from the waterside.
The Navesink Queen will leave the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor at 10:15 a.m. Saturday September 14, and will travel in Sandy Hook Bay to the pier area of Naval Weapons Station Earle for the 11 a.m. ceremony that is drawing thousands to the areas.
The Virginia-class Submarine, USS New Jersey (SSN-796) arrived at the pier last week for the commissioning ceremony that officially makes it a vital part of the United States Navy, and the first submarine to be built honoring the state.
Two formerly active Navy vessels, the New Jersey (BB-16) and USS New Jersey (BB-62) preceded the submarine New Jersey.. Because the first Navy sub was built in Elizabeth New Jersey, located in Union County, the city is considered the birthplace of the Naval Submarine Service. It was the USS Holland (SSN 1) built in 1897.
Both the new vessel and some of its crew have close ties to the Garden State, and have been honored by numerous schools, organizations, businesses, the general public and veterans organizations both because of its historic and future significant importance and since some of the crew are from New Jersey.
Thousands of citizens have applied for passes to see the commissioning, a first for the Navy pier in Leonardo; while thousands have not been able to be accommodated, those thousands who have received their invitations and information on parking and security obligations along with instructions on how they are going to be permitted on the pier earlier this month will be in the area.
With a tour aboard the Navesink Queen, visitors will be able to view the submarine and hear the formal commissioning of a naval vessel.The Queen will be outside the security zone or as directed by any security personal. Guests aboard the Queen are urged to bring their binoculars for a closer look at the activity.
The Navesink Queen will return to the Atlantic Highlands Harbor at 12:45 following the Naval ceremony. The boat offers an open-air top deck with a full canopy roof and heated cabin main deck. With both decks open, she can carry 150 persons. But this will be a limited capacity trip with a maximum of 75 passengers.
Tickets for the Navesink Queen are $45 for adults, $30 for children 12 years of age and under, and $30 as a special $35 price with thanks and appreciation to all veterans with proper identification.
Bagels and Coffee will be included in the ticket price. There will also be a cash bar for other beverages such as bottled water, soda and adult beverages for those 21 and older.
Those aboard the Queen should be able to hear the announcements over the loudspeakers on the pier; however, Capt. Schade also plans to live stream the audio of the event over the Navesink Queens multi level sound system.
To purchase tickets for this special trip book online HERE.
