What Happens When A US Navy Sailor Falls Off An Aircraft Carrier?

Over six thousand crew members are responsible for ensuring that all of the operations on an aircraft carrier are carried out perfectly. However, given the large number of people there, there is a possibility that someone will fall over into the sea. What happens when someone falls over and is missing in the sea? The safety procedures on the aircraft carrier are guaranteed, and it is typically impossible for the crew to fall off the aircraft carrier. Nevertheless, there have been cases where aircraft carrier crew member still falls into the sea. An example was when James Serrano, a member of the crew of an American aircraft carrier, fell into the water after tripping and falling off the aircraft carrier.
You should know that the typical contemporary aircraft carrier's height can reach tens of meters. When a person touches the surface of the water after falling from an altitude of tens of meters, the tension on the surface will make them feel as if they are falling on cement. This is because of the force of gravity acting on the water. Similar to the ground itself. Because of this, a person will likely die before they can be rescued if they fall off an aircraft carrier while in the incorrect position or if their head is the first part of their body to hit the water.
#aircraftcarrier #sailors #usnavy

[toddpontious]

I retired from the Navy with 23 years service. I was in aircraft engine maintenance and spent a lot of time on the flight deck for many of those 23 years. Did two tours on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, two tours on the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71, one tour on the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67, and my final tour on the USS Independence CV-62. To the best of my memory, I can count on one hand the number of people that survived a fall off the flight deck whether by accident or deliberate. Those that didn't survive were never found to the best of my knowledge. The ones that did survive were severely injured. It's 90 feet from the flight deck to the waterline. Most people that go over the side are blown off from being caught up in jet exhaust from a turning aircraft. When they go over, their body is already in a bad position, normally not falling feet first. One can only assume that they could have suffered head injuries on the way down by striking one of many fixed obstacles attached to the side of the ship (cat walks, fueling stations, weapons sponsons, etc.). Landing on the surface of the water on your back at that height will absolutely knock the wind out of you at best and knock you unconscious or kill you at worst. The flight deck gear that everyone wears will save your life if you are able to use it. If you do survive the fall, you have to contend with the ships screws and the amount of draw the draft of the ship and screws pull under the hull at the speed the ship is travelling. Get caught in the draw and it's game over. Hope this helps you understand just one of the many dangers our brave men and women face every single day working on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

Aviation Machinist Mate, Senior Chief Petty Officer (Air Warfare) Todd C. Pontious, United States Navy, Retired

[lorrainethomas]

During the tail end of the Korean War….my husband to be….went overboard…on an aircraft carrier he was stationed on…in the North Pacific…you only have minutes before you freeze to death in such a situation! One lonely seaman… saw him go overboard.. and sounded the alarm…he was rescued and survived! I had 10 years… with this dear man..before the aircraft he piloted… was shot down over North Vietnam and he is still missing to this day…I’m thankful for the short time we had together! He was a great man and served his country well!

[frogg]

My brother-in-law and 2 others were knocked off the Enterprise in the middle of the night in the China sea while receiving supplies from another ship. He was reported dead and it was printed in the hometown newspaper. But, they had finally rescued all 3 before morning. Very lucky!

[jerrysilvers]

I served on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock CVA-19 IN 1966 When we had a fall overboard in the middle of the night and was not missed until morning quarters. The ship was turned around a search was started by our destroyer escorts and helicopters. Fortunately the sailor was found alive and when he was brought back aboard the first person to greet him was John Wayne who happened to be on board after he had toured South Vietnam.

[invoxicated]

I was on The USS Oriskany CVA34 during the Vietnam war. One sailor got blown overboard from walking behind a Jet that was running. They never found him. A Marine who was working an unrep. ammo working party fell overboard as he was pitching some bomb rack shipping material. He was on the #2 aircraft elevator which had been in the lower position. Lucky for him he was wearing a life vest and had a flash light attached. Was was rescued. I always feared falling overboard so I was extra careful. Nothing worse than falling over board and seeing the ship steaming away. And not to mention there were plenty sharks following the ship and the Tonkin Gulf was full of deadly sea snakes.

[martinwalker]

November/December 1985 USS O’BRIEN was plane guard for USS Enterprise and about 2200 (10 PM) an airman got blown off the wing of an airplane. Neither forward lookout spotted him, however our after lookout spotted him after we had passed him.
When we notified the Enterprise they had no idea anyone was missing. He was recovered with no injuries.

[BALOYBEACHBUM]

I served on a cruiser and the carriers always had "Plane guards" that supported the carrier in the case of a sailor or plane going over the side.

[joemoore]

I was on the carrier USS Constellation in the 1970's and we a few shipmates go over the side. One thing for sure you go over the side you'll probably be dead when you hit the water. Working one night on the flight deck I was standing on the stern of the deck talking to a fellow for a few minutes. I walked away only to turn around and he was gone. The rescue helo was sent up to look for him and they spotted him alive. As the aircrew approached they watched him swim downward and drown himself. He was 17.

[ardiffley-zipkin]

Very interesting. I was on the QM2 a few years ago when a female 8:05 passenger was determined as missing. They performed the necessary actions for a “ person overboard” incuding searching the area with the Coast Guard, etc. She was never found.

[videoluvr]

One of my shopmates on the USS Midway got blown off fantail, or aft, of the carrier one moonless night in the northern part of the South China Sea back in late ‘83. They ultimately never found him. Another time, a guy jumped off the port side in clear perfect daytime weather just off the coast of the Philippines because he didn’t wish to go on the 111 day Indian Ocean cruise that we were setting off for. The deck was cleared, helicopter was launched and he was fished out and marched dripping wet up to the Captain’s Bridge. Instant Section 8. I guess the Navy figures that if someone is crazy enough to jump off a ship, they can’t be right in the head. He did get his wish, though.

[murphyat]

Yes, i worked with that individual you speak of in 1983. He was going back to the LSO platform when a A7 blew him over. Sad day

[susie]

Very informative! Thank you for sharing! Go Navy 💙

[KevinS]

It hugely depends on if someone sees you fall off ANY Navy ship, otherwise it won't be until you are missed at your duty station and/or muster.

[curtekstrom]

From the Flight Deck it's a 90 foot fall, from Hangar Bay level and 35 to 40 foot.

[cdoc]

My father went over the side of the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam war in the late 60's. The safety nets were removed and they were pushing debris wrapped in wire over the side and the wire caught onto his glove pulling him over. He was rescued by helicopter to drop down a life ring on a cable. They accidentally plucked it out of water to hard which broke his shoulder. I have a photo of him wearing a sling in front of that helicopter with The rescuers.

[massthiof]

So pretty much to summarize, if someone falls into the water there chance of survival is very slim. Got it

[nickkostakis]

Great show and very interesting thank you very much from Sydney Australia 😊

[theresachiorazzi]

My uncle John was a sailor and he told of a young man that jumped off the ship I don’t know why he did that maybe he was scared or had a fear he could not control. I never forgot that story but I never liked to hear about war it’s a scary thought. I was so happy when the war was over.

[TradeMark]

Really interesting, it's good to see they think of everything.

[FredVanAllenRealtor]

Signalman or Quartermaster raises the 'O' oscar flag. This is an International Code of Signals directive.