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Safety Department Keeps TR Sailors Out of Harm's Way
Story Number: NNS080927-04
Release Date: 9/27/2008 8:38:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Eric Moorer
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- Working on an aircraft carrier like USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) can be very dangerous, so the ship's safety department helps safeguard Sailors in what could be considered life-threatening situations.
Members of TR's safety department are out and about every day, searching through the ship for safety violations that could potentially cause harm or even death.
"We put out safety violations to the different departments, such as burnt out lights in battle lanterns, boxes stacked to high and items not being stowed for sea travel," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marcus Stewart, of the safety department. "We even work side-by-side with TR's security who helps us find safety violations around the ship."
"We go around in teams throughout the ship, checking berthing, improperly stowed fire hoses and many other spaces," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Carranza of TR security. "After returning to the security office, they submit their findings to the dispatcher who then types up a hard copy then mails a copy to their chain of command and to [the] safety department."
Security finds 10-20 safety violations on average every day.
Security also helps the safety department by stopping anyone working without the proper personal protection equipment.
Safety department takes these violations from security and investigates them. Then they send a list to each department, where their material maintenance management supervisor then puts out a 13-week log for the violation to get fixed.
All this daily effort ensures Sailors aboard TR are safe while on the ship, but it doesn't stop there.
"We make sure that when we do an anchor port stop, the liberty boats will be safe to go ashore," said Stewart. "We make sure that the waves are not too rough that the liberty boats and the Sailors aboard will be in danger."
The goal of safety department is to have this ship 100 percent safe. Safety says they are at around 30 percent now, but that percentage is rising higher and higher every day.
"If we didn't have safety here, in the middle of the ocean with all the airplanes and about five thousand people aboard, we wouldn't be here," said TR's Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Christopher Engels. "Awareness is very important; everyone needs to be aware of everything on the ship."
For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn71/.
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