General Dynamics Electric Boat test engineers rest in modified berthing facilities located in the Torpedo Room aboard PCU Virginia during Bravo trials. The torpedo room can be reconfigured to meet a variety of operational missions including bunking a special operations team. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Image: Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer James Pinsky
By: FEDweek StaffEven though the Navy continues to address concerns about fatigue and crew rest, sailors still are beset by understaffing and heavy workloads, according to the nation’s chief watchdog agency.
“Until the Navy addresses crew shortfalls on ships, sailors will likely continue to have problems getting adequate sleep,” the Government Accountability Agency (GAO) stated in a recent report.
The agency recognized four key steps the Navy has taken in the aftermath of a series of recommendations it made in 2021. Data collection, guidance in regards to crew size in required positions, risk-based crewing targets, and using crew requirements to project future needs each have helped address the problem, GAO recognized.
But the report noted that Navy still has yet to expand two pilot programs that would monitor sailor fatigue in real time. Problems with crew shortfalls and uncomfortable mattresses also persist. Additionally, the Navy is not accounting for additional crew workloads brought forth by the implementation of the Ready Relevant Learning initiative, which is intended to modernize long-range training.
The report cited statistics the Navy presented to Congress in March that show surface sailors average about 5.2 hours of sleep per day, significantly below the 7.5 hours they should be getting. The service also acknowledged that efforts to meet fatigue-management goals are still hindered by the obstacles GAO mentioned – crew shortfalls, bad mattresses, and limited data.
“Fully implementing GAOs recommendations will help the Navy address these obstacles,” the report stated.
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