Image source: topwar.ru
Military Maritime Transportation Command (MSC) The US Navy intends to disable 17 support vessels due to a critical shortage of personnel. The crews available on them will be distributed throughout the fleet, and the pennants themselves will be "for long-term maintenance." This program was named the "Great Reboot".
As indicated in the USNI News publication, this measure will reduce the demand for sailors – 600-700 positions will be vacated.
It is noted that we are talking about the decommissioning of the expeditionary mobile bases USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) and USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4), which are based in Bahrain and Greece, respectively. In addition, two Lewis and Clark-type supply vessels and one oil tanker should be transferred to storage. Also, 12 high-speed transport catamarans of the EPF class will leave the ranks of the current fleet
- the military explains.
MSC operates a fleet of logistics vessels with a total crew of 5,500 civilian sailors. They refuel and resupply Navy ships around the world. For every position on an MSC ship, there are about 1.27 seafarers to fill vacancies.
- the Navy explained.
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ESB-3
With this ratio, the sailor will be at sea for 4 months and absent for about 1 month.
- the military says.
For example, in the commercial navy, trade unions require that a sailor stay on a ship for one month and on paid leave for the second.
Against this background, the decommissioning of 17 vessels will increase the ratio of reserve staff to personnel at sea to 1.5 sailors. In addition, this measure will make it possible to man the newest vessels, such as three John Lewis oil tankers, which have already been transferred to the Navy, but cannot begin service due to a shortage of personnel.
Currently, there is an outflow of personnel in the auxiliary fleet.
- the sailors explain.
