ID :
54492
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 17:51
Auther :

Navy plans to boost submariner numbers



Inexperience among Australian submariners at a time when the navy is struggling to
recruit sailors raises the prospect of a potential catastrophe, a new report warns.
The report, prepared by Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt, urged the navy to treat a mishap
aboard HMAS Dechaineux in February 2003 as Australia's version of the loss of the
USS Thresher.
USS Thresher was lost with all hands in 1963, a watershed event for the US Navy
which resulted in their Subsafe program on which Australia's submarine safety
program is based.
In the Dechaineux incident, a burst water pipe took the vessel "within a
frighteningly short time" - perhaps seconds - of being lost.
It was saved by the prompt reaction of key personnel.
"... the declining experience level of the submarine community must be viewed with
concern for the increased risk of an incident with a catastrophic outcome to which
it contributes," Admiral Moffitt said in the report.
Navy chief Vice Admiral Russ Crane said submarine safety was a top priority and the
comments by Admiral Moffitt had drawn his attention.
"I am very comfortable with the submarine safety system that we have in place but I
am going to review it under this program and I think that is healthy," he said.
The navy has long experienced problems finding enough crewmen and women for its
submarine fleet and can put just three of six Collins boats to sea.
In his review, Admiral Moffitt pointed to a submariner culture near-obsessed with
mission achievement at almost any cost, akin to that of many special forces, and one
which acknowledged just two types of vessel - submarines and targets.
Admiral Crane said the submarine force remained very capable and able to meet
mission requirements but was a cause of serious concern.
"Put simply, we cannot continue to operate the way in which we have been doing," he
said.
"That can-do culture has become a negative in a personnel sense. We do need to
balance the can-do culture and the welfare of our people.
"The most effective way to stop the bleeding is to take better care of our people."
The navy has already launched initiatives including $60,000 retention allowances,
taken up by 81 per cent of eligible submariners.
Submarine crews have been lifted from 46 to 58, spreading the workload more evenly
at sea.
Under the action plan launched on Wednesday, the navy would undertake further
measures, including faster training, shorter sea deployments, improved onshore crew
accommodation and internet access for submarines in port and eventually at sea.
The navy will launch an aggressive recruiting campaign, targeting serving surface
ship sailors and former submariners, particularly recent departures whose civilian
jobs are under threat through the global financial crisis.
It will also step up efforts to poach submariners from the UK and Canada.
Admiral Crane said the strategy aimed to achieve a fourth sustainable submarine crew
by the end of 2011 and sufficient qualified submariners for when the navy
transitions to its next generation submarines late next decade.
"We can't to afford to burn out our people.
"I will not allow it and neither will the Australian public. We need to act now and
we need to act quickly," he said.


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