George Washington fire.

[yooklid]

I'm a little surprised that this wasn't mentioned at all. There was a very VERY serious fire on the Washington a few months back. Looks like the CO and the XO just got the chop.

http://www.navycompass.com/content/view/689/184/

This is what smoking below decks gets you

[golden rivet]

no bother just put a sock over the smoke dectetor... a senior officer in charge of range practise for a long time id say

[Rooster]

Were the CO and XO releived of their command, or did they relquish their commissions? I note they were both of the same rank - Capt - is that normal on an Aircraft Carrier - surely the XO should be a Cdr?

On a normal ship, yes. But an aircraft carrier of this size with thousands onboard am surprised the CO isn't higher than a captain.

[hptmurphy]

I think it has something to do with Pilots qualifications in the USN. Captain of Aircraft carrier has to be qualified as a pilot as well as an Executive branch

So if the XO was pilot qualified as a pilot he could well hold equal rank but not command.

We had a situation here former ships captains of LtCDR rank held position of XO where the capatin was CDR rank

But there was also cases of LtCdrs who held the XOs position without have been ships captains,

All down to senioity and qualification I would say.

[Barry]

On a USN aircraft carrier the CO and XO can be of equal rank (namely Captain), and at least one of the two must have been an aviator. Interestingly, the CAG (Commander Air Group) will also be a Captain. There will also be a flag officer embarked, in command of the fleet.

[A/TEL]

I think it has something to do with Pilots qualifications in the USN. Captain of Aircraft carrier has to be qualified as a pilot as well as an Executive branch

So if the XO was pilot qualified as a pilot he could well hold equal rank but not command.

We had a situation here former ships captains of LtCDR rank held position of XO where the capatin was CDR rank

But there was also cases of LtCdrs who held the XOs position without have been ships captains,

All down to senioity and qualification I would say.

On LE Roisin a few years ago, both the CO & XO held the rank of Lt Cdr, only for about 3 months. XO was promoted 3 with months left on his sea term.

[DeV]

Would one not be the CAG - OC of the Carrier Air Group (I think)?

On the LE Niamh's trip to Asia the CO & MEO were both Lt Cmdrs.

[hptmurphy]

OC and MEO would be be from different divisions .In that case the Exectutive branch officer holds the seniority and by appointment would be Officer Commanding .MEO is head of a division aboard the Ship while the capatain has overall command.

On LE Roisin a few years ago, both the CO & XO held the rank of Lt Cdr, only for about 3 months. XO was promoted 3 with months left on his sea term

.

Demonstrates the point quite well the capatin is the kiddy by appointment

thanks for that

[Barry]

Would one not be the CAG - OC of the Carrier Air Group (I think)?

No - the CO, XO and CAG are seperate appointments.

CAG stands for Commander Air Group (who is in command of the Air Wing)

[Bosco]

One Executive Branch, One Engineering Branch. I'd say it's possible for the MEO to be senior to the Captain.

But becuase one is deck and the other engineering the deck officer is the person in charge of the boat no?
My knowledge of nautical stuff is limited but I always thought Executive officers command the ship whilst Engineers keep it running.

[hptmurphy]

The MEO is responsible for the engineering spaces. The XO takes reposnibility for the daily routine.

The captain or OC of the unit has overall command by appointment

Regardless of rank held by the others the Captain of the ship is ultimately in charge and takes reponsibilty for the whole vessel. He does so under abvisement from his divisional officers.

Same as when the Flag officer is board. He may command the Naval Service but doesn't command the ship.

He can tell the captain what the ship is to do, but he certainly doesn't tell him how to do it.

Ships captain is the substantive rank regardless of rank held by the divisional officers.

I'd say it's possible for the MEO to be senior to the Captain.

in Rank given that most OC apointments are Lt Cdr, he amy be junior in rank, but is not by appointment... overall command being the issue, who takes responsibility.

In the RN a ships captain takes responsibilty for every action and in the case of HMS Nottingham grounding a few years back even though the Captain was not on board at the time , the Captain was the firststo face courts martial.

Equivalent doesn't exist in the army so it may be difficult to comprehend.