Fleet Week Port Everglades still on despite budget cuts

Except 800 sailors, 3 Navy ships, 1 Coast Guard ship

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ Despite automatic spending cuts instituted by the federal government, Fleet Week Port Everglades 2103 is ready to set sail.

"Fleet Week will be Fleet Week," said Mary Anne Gray, the executive director of Broward Navy Days.

Gray said those who attend can expect to see 800 sailors, two U.S. Navy destroyer, one Navy submarine, and one Coast Guard fast-response cutter.

"All our activities will be the same," said Gray. "We are going to have the same kind of crowds to come out and greet the ships... This area is fantastic for welcoming our military into the community, so we really don't see a downside of having smaller groups."

In 2012, 1,200 sailors and a fourth Navy ship were at Fleet Week.

"No one's going to know the difference," said Gray. "That's what Broward Navy Days is all about -- taking care of our military and we do it on a all year-round basis."

Fleet Week Port Everglades is scheduled from April 29 through May 6.