U.S.S. Marinette LCS-25 Fleet Week Baltimore
June 9, 2025
Photographing A Navy Ship
Each year, I make a trip to Baltimore, Maryland, to spend time with my brother and his family. This year, we decided to visit during Fleet Week 2024, which had me especially excited since I love boats, trains, planes, and anything big and impressive like that. One surprise was the USS Marinette.
One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where the Fleet Week festivities were in full swing. The event was fantastic, but the part I was most looking forward to was touring the U.S.S. Marinette, a Littoral Combat Ship, and it lived up to my expectations.
We stood in line for about an hour under the scorching sun before boarding the ship. The tour began on the helipad at the stern, where a sailor shared fascinating details about the ship’s capabilities, speed, and overall functions. It was incredible to hear about the cutting-edge technology and the ship’s unique role.
Next, we entered a multipurpose hangar-like space used for various operations, including vehicle storage and events. Walking through this area was fascinating—it’s so versatile! Then, we toured the upper deck, making our way to the bow of the ship. Here, we got up close to the massive gun mounted at the front. While marveling at its size, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and ended up bumping my head on it—classic me! Despite that little mishap, it was an amazing experience to stand on the bow of an active naval ship and take in the breathtaking view of the harbor.
Touring USS Marinette
This was my first time aboard an active naval ship; previously, I’d only toured decommissioned battleships and destroyers. A few years ago, I saw a similar Littoral Combat Ship in dry dock in Seattle, so it was exciting to now experience one in action. Seeing the USS Mette up close and operational added a whole new layer of appreciation for these incredible vessels.
While we waited in line, another Fleet Week highlight unfolded—a one-person air show featuring an F-35 fighter jet. It was thrilling to watch as the jet performed multiple passes over downtown Baltimore. The finale was unforgettable: the F-35 hovered motionless in the air above the Inner Harbor. The sight of this massive aircraft, perfectly still, against the backdrop of the city and the water was jaw-dropping. The sound was deafening, but the spectacle of thousands of pounds of engineering brilliance suspended mid-air was worth every moment.
The combination of the USS Marinette, the stunning harbor, the vibrant cityscape, and the awe-inspiring aerial display brought together many of my favorite things: ships, airplanes, cityscapes, and water. It was a day to remember!
