DON'T FALL OVERBOARD UNLESS.....

S

saltysam

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From Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- A Sailor aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) was recovered uninjured after falling overboard at 5:39 a.m. March 15.

The Sailor was recovered by an SH-60F Seahawk search and rescue helicopter from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 11.

The Sailor was working on the flight deck when the incident occurred. Several other Sailors working nearby witnessed the fall and immediately called for assistance.

The HS-11 helicopter, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, was not airborne at the time of the incident, but quickly made preparations for takeoff in response to the man overboard call.

Enterprise and CVW-1 are conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean prior to continuing on the ship's regularly-scheduled deployment.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. The Sailor is currently in the ship's Medical department for evaluation and observation.
 
It would be the definition of irony if he was repairing the safety net! If not, he can expect some sh1t duty for quite some time.
 
I am certain that, while the poor fool was recovering in sick bay, there was a Chief very carefully explaining the concept of remaining aboard. This training session likely took quite a while...
 
Nobody on the Troop ship had to explain any of that to me! I stayed away from that Rail!
 
It really takes a certain amount of awkward skill to fall into the ocean from the flight deck. There are many safety nets along open areas and several locations where one can only stumble a very short distance before being stopped by tons of metal. Give the Lad a Medal...I'm sure some fitting token will be provided!
 
There are lots of ways to fall off a flight deck. Not every area is protected by the safety nets. Something as simple as tripping when starting down one of the accomodation ladders (which obviously do not have railings or hand-holds for the first couple of steps) could result in going overboard. If he was working on a lowered elevator there are large areas with no railings or safety nets. The two most likely ways of falling of the deck are getting blown overboard by jet-blast or tripping when going down a ladder.

I spent my last year of active duty as a catapult officer (which meant I spent most of my time on the flight deck). But I was still less comfortable walking on a flight deck than I ever was doing carrier landings. It is not a pleasant place to be. Having two F-14's in full afterburner just a few feet away from you. And having their wings pass over the top of your head when they launch does not qualify as a relaxing day on a boat.

Mike
 
In my book the Catapult Officer has the single most dangerous duty on the entire ship. My hat is off to you! Thanks for your service.
 
LSO (Landing Signal Officer) will really age you rapidly. Been there and done that. Had to dive into the net one time. Spent two years flying off the USS Intrepid CVS11 1971 to 73 when she was retired and is now a museum in New York. Quite an experience. I was happy to get back to the P3 community and dry land airports. It is nice to have an airport stay where it was when you return.
 
Gentlemen: I salute you for your service and your bravery. Thank you for both, and for coming home safely. Hopefully, all your fellow sailors did, as well. Hy
 
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