COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2672
Location: New Jersey | Subject: USS Delaware Crew
We had the priviledge to have a visit with some of the crew from the Delaware at last Saturdays meeting. I was able to have a chat with the COB who has 22 years in and is younger then my youngest son, damn. Anyway we had the COB and 4 other crew there...1 -1st class cook, and the rest of the guys were E4's. An interesting aside was one of the men was an MM nuke rated and was with his girlfriend who was also a nuke rated MM stationed on a carrier. Everyone intro'd themselves with a little bio about their jobs. The COB gave a little talk about the upcoming commissioning which will probably be held in Norfolk, Va. but that may change...Nothing definite yet. I told him of my feeling that the 688 and the Seawolf class had a lot less "people room" then my tench class boat or so it seemed to me. He replied the Virginia class has even less people room since they moved much of the outboard stuff about a foot in from the hull, giving them less room. He explained how they qualify the guys out of BESS. They got about 80 new unqualed sailors. No one wants to go to sea with 80 unqualed crew aboard he said, so they ship them TAD to other boats for qualifications.I did think the crew size of 135 was a bit large though for the class. Did the 688's have a crew that big too???
An interesting visit for sure... |
Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 715
Location: Conway, NH | Subject: RE: USS Delaware Crew
I took a little search attempting to find the manning requirements for the class. I found this (which does not explain the larger than 637/688 birthing):
Reduced Watchstation Manning
Virginia’s new capabilities have not required any additional crew. In fact, a thorough re-engineering of the ship’s functionality, manpower requirements, and billet structure has enabled the reduction of 15 crew watchstanders in comparison to Seawolf. The key to this greater efficiency has been technology insertion, particularly for automating tasks and handling information, and Virginia’s modular design will facilitate even further reductions as new technologies become available. Typical efficiencies are found in the following areas:
Ship Control Station: Virginia’s digital “fly-by-wire” advanced ship control station will be operated by a Pilot, Copilot, and a Relief Pilot. These three watchstanders replace the customary Diving Officer, Chief of the Watch, Helmsman, Planesman, and Messenger needed on previous submarine classes.
Navigation - Quartermaster Watch- station: The increased use of automation, such as electronic charting, allows combining the duties of the Navigation Electronics Technician and the Quartermaster of the Watch into those of a single Navigation Watchstander.
Throttleman – Reactor Operator Watchstation: Increased use of technology and automation allows the Reactor Operator also to perform the duties of the Throttleman while carrying out his current responsibilities.
Auxiliaryman Aft Watchstation: The relative simplicity and innovative automation of Virginia’s engineroom will allow engineroom personnel to monitor installed auxiliary equipment, thus eliminating the Auxiliaryman Aft watchstation.
Torpedo Room Watch: Automated systems and tours by other watchstanders allow the elimination of the Torpedo Room watchstander.
https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/docs/virginia_class.htm
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USS Delaware Crew
