Hundreds of sailors moved off U.S. naval ship after surge of suicides
Global News
The U.S. Navy is investigating the deaths of seven crew members, including four by apparent suicide in the past year.
After a string of apparent suicides among the crew of a U.S. naval vessel, officials announced they are removing sailors from the USS George Washington aircraft carrier and allowing them to live off-ship.
The U.S. Navy has removed more than 200 sailors, reports CNN, and is investigating the deaths of seven crew members, including four by apparent suicide in the past year.
According to the Washington Post, three crew members are believed to have died by suicide in April — all within a week of each other.
Several news outlets report dismal conditions aboard the docked ship in Newport News, Va., which has been undergoing a major overhaul to refuel its reactors and upgrade its combat systems.
Delays in the work, however, have at times left the boat without running water, hot meals and working washrooms.
ABC News reports that after the string of deaths, and following complaints from the crew, the Navy has begun to offer temporary accommodations for the ship’s staff.
While the majority of the ship’s 2,700 crew members already live off-ship, 260 of the 400 on-ship staff can now access accommodations elsewhere. And additional 50 crew members will be given the option next week.