NTC Dam Neck is right on the Atlantic Ocean and takes up about a mile of the ocean beach. The Navy has several technical schools there. One of the special things that we use the water for is fireworks. Downtown Norfolk is right on the Elizabeth River. When they do fire for things like New Years or Independence Day, they bring in a barge with all of the fireworks on it and shoot them from the middle of the river.
Many people can get a good view of the fireworks and still be in a safe area.