NYC's Fleet Week canceled due to budget cuts

NEW YORKFederal budget cuts have forced the U.S. Navy to cancel Fleet Week in New York City, reports CBS New York.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs Beth Baker says "there will be no Navy ships in New York this year for Fleet Week and no additional sailors or Marines."

The Navy had to make hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts and one way it decided to save money was to cancel community outreach efforts like Fleet Week.

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"We greatly appreciate the city's patience and understanding during these unusual times," Baker said.

The annual event is a very popular part of the tourism life of New York City and the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood.

It contributes tens of millions of dollars to the economy and millions in city tax revenue.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office issued a statement saying, "Fleet Week is a great opportunity to salute the servicemen and women of our Navy, Marines and Coast Guard who do so much for our country. We understand the Navy's budgetary limitations and hope that the Fleet Week tradition can continue in 2014."

Last year was the 25th anniversary of Fleet Week.

Some of the attractions included nine tall ships and nine Navy aircraft carriers and destroyers.