NEW YORK, NY — The nation's maritime forces are converging on New York City this week as Fleet Week returns to the metropolitan area. More than a dozen ships and over 2,300 sailors, Marines and Coast Guard members are participating in the annual celebration from May 23 to 29.

Fleet Week, now in its 30th year, offers New Yorkers a chance to meet members of the forces patrolling the world's waterways and see ships that showcase the best of the maritime services. The week kicked off with the Parade of Ships, which arrived Wednesday. Onlookers saw ships in action along the Hudson River from Battery Park to around the George Washington Bridge.

Fourteen ships docked in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and Long Island to mark the occasion. Among them are four U.S. Navy ships, three Coast Guard cutters, four U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats, two Military Sealift Command ships and a Royal Canadian Navy vessel. All but two of the ships will be open for tours at Piers 90 and 86 in Manhattan, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and Homeport Pier in Staten Island.

Service members gave back to the city by helping with Habitat for Humanity projects in Brooklyn and Queens on May 24 and 25.

Dozens of events are scheduled throughout the week, so there are plenty of chances to take part. Some businesses are also getting in on the fun with Fleet Week specials.

Here's what you need to know ahead of Fleet Week 2018.

Schedule The Parade of Ships is among the first on a long list of Fleet Week events. Demonstrations, concerts and other performances are lined up each day.

Can't make it to the city? A handful of events will take place in New Jersey, Long Island and the Hudson Valley. The full schedule of events is available on the official Fleet Week website, hosted by Military News.