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Deadly collisions prompt new sleep policy on Navy carriers

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  • Deadly collisions prompt new sleep policy on Navy carriers

    An interesting take on the working time act?
    It took a number of fatal accidents before the USN woke up to the reality.

    The U.S. Navy has changed its policy to allow all sailors working on aircraft carriers to get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.


    NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The U.S. Navy has changed its policy to allow all sailors working on aircraft carriers to get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
    The Virginian-Pilot reported Thursday that the change is a reaction to two fatal ship collisions that killed 17 crew members in the Pacific Ocean last year. The Navy found that fatigue and poor sleep management contributed to the collisions.
    The USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided near Singapore in August 2017, killing 10 sailors. The USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided off Japan in June 2017, killing seven sailors.
    Both of the Navy ships were guided missile destroyers.
    The policy change was made in August. It was first reported by the Navy Times.
    For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.

  • #2
    I've always thought some of the watch systems in place on warships are brutal.




    The RN submarine watch system particularly so...you'll never get more than 5 1/2hrs uninterrupted sleep...and the SSN's deploy for 9 - 12 months at a time.
    'History is a vast early warning system'. Norman Cousins

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    • #3
      Did the Brits enforce drivers getting sleep by making officers sign sleep cards while on active combat operations in Afghanistan?

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      • #4
        what is not mentioned is the constant background noise which affects the ability to sleep. I recall one documentary about life on board US aircraft carriers and especially during flight operations, the ship was incredibly noisy with steam/hydraulic/electric machinery going. The crew were shown going about their daily routine and they appeared to be zombies from lack of decent sleep. Some people will sleep through anything but others are woken by the slightest noise and their body clock goes to pieces.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by GoneToTheCanner View Post
          what is not mentioned is the constant background noise which affects the ability to sleep. I recall one documentary about life on board US aircraft carriers and especially during flight operations, the ship was incredibly noisy with steam/hydraulic/electric machinery going. The crew were shown going about their daily routine and they appeared to be zombies from lack of decent sleep. Some people will sleep through anything but others are woken by the slightest noise and their body clock goes to pieces.
          Bunking arrangements aboard USN carriers for junior ranks also do not encourage anything resembling proper sleep. Your coffin rack, under which you store most of your kit, is either top, middle or bottom of bunks. There can be up to 20 racks in each compartment, and the best way to describe it is sleeping on a shelf with a curtain, in a busy alleyway. Everyone in the compartment is working in different areas and different watches, so there is no such thing as quiet. Add to this the constant intercom mesages informing all about something happening at the other end of the ship. Even Naval aviators share cabins with other officers, the cabins doubling as their office. Given the tempo dutring flying operations, i'm surprised there are not more accidents.
          There is a time and place for sleep deprivation. It should not be a normal occurrence.
          The RN have seen the light and the QNLZ has proper civilised crew cabins, much like what is seen on our OPVs.
          For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by TangoSierra View Post
            Did the Brits enforce drivers getting sleep by making officers sign sleep cards while on active combat operations in Afghanistan?
            Not sure...in some instances possibly...but I'd imagine the circumstances they were often working in would have led to operational waivers being issued.


            They could plan combat logistics patrols...but its hard to factor in delays caused by IEDs etc.
            'History is a vast early warning system'. Norman Cousins

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            • #7
              Dáil debates
              Wednesday, 21 November 2018

              Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
              Defence Forces Personnel
              All Dáil debates on 21 Nov 2018
              « Previous debateNext debate »

              11:15 am

              Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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              66. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if an investigation will be carried out into the physical and psychological effects prolonged working hours are having on soldiers, sailors and aircrews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48207/18]

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              Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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              81. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the application of Directive 2003/88/EC, the working time directive, to the Defence Forces in compliance with the ruling of the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48383/18]

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              • #8
                Interesting analysis of the USS Fitzgerald incident.

                For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.

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