How Often are Sailors or Marines Blown Off a Navy Ship and Caught by Safety Nets?
Sailors and marines being blown off the deck of a navy ship is, fortunately, a relatively rare event that can be largely attributed to the rigorous safety protocols, training, and advanced design features of modern naval vessels. However, incidents can still occur, especially in rough seas or during high winds, placing these personnel at risk.
Safety Nets: A Critical Safety Measure
Safety nets play a crucial role in catching personnel and equipment that might be accidentally thrown or blown overboard. These are most commonly found on aircraft carriers, where they serve as a vital safety net for flight operations. However, they can also be encountered on other larger warships and amphibious assault ships.
Aircraft Carriers
Aircraft carriers are equipped with safety nets along the sides of their flight decks. These nets are specifically designed to catch individuals and equipment that may fall or be blown off the deck. The presence of these nets significantly reduces the risk of crew members and valuable equipment being lost overboard during flight operations.
Other Warships
Some other larger surface vessels, such as amphibious assault ships and certain destroyers, may also feature safety nets. These nets are particularly important in areas where personnel frequently work on the edges. While not as common as on carriers, their presence enhances the overall safety of the ship.
Frequency of Incidents
The exact frequency of personnel being blown off the deck and caught by safety nets is not well-documented and can vary widely based on factors such as weather conditions, ship type, and operational activity. Nevertheless, the Navy emphasizes regular training and drills to minimize such risks.
A Real Incidence: The JFK Incident in the Mediterranean
A significant event occurred aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in the Mediterranean during the early 1970s. Here's a detailed account of the incident:
A flight deck corpsman was dispatched to the bow to attend to a plane captain who had suffered a cut to his forehead. As the corpsman returned to his station near the island, an A-7 Corsair jet was performing an aerial maneuver, positioned directly in front of the flight deck. This maneuver involved rotating the plane, and the corpsman had to carefully navigate behind a plane while it was in motion. Tragically, as the plane moved, the corpsman was lifted, blown to the starboard side, and hit a galvanized pipe supporting the safety nets. He was then blown over the side into the water.
Within minutes, a rescue swimmer was in the water attempting to reach the corpsman, but upon arrival, he found that the corpsman had suffered a fractured neck. He was immediately airlifted off the ship for medical treatment.
Additional Insights
It is fascinating to note that safety nets on aircraft carriers are often regarded as some of the most dangerous properties at sea, with Lloyd's of London considering the flight deck of an aircraft carrier as 4.5 acres of the world's most hazardous terrain. This stark comparison to the trenches of World War I and II underscores the intense and complex nature of flight operations on these vessels.