Australia: The Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane AM CSM, of the Royal Australian Navy has released a plan to improve Australia's submarine workforce, after concerns a lack of numbers is placing a strain on personnel.
The Submarine Workforce Sustainability Program will follow a five-phase strategy designed to stabilise, recover and grow the submarine workforce over the next five years. The program focuses on getting more qualified submariners to sea and on improving support for them once deployed.
The strain on seagoing submariners will be eased by increasing crew sizes from 46 to 58 people. A fourth submarine crew will be operating by the end of 2011.
"By improving [submariners'] working conditions we will ensure our submarine force remains sustainable now and into the future," Vice Admiral Crane said.
The Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review was completed late last year.
It made 29 recommendations aiming to improve submariners' work/life balance. Vice Admiral Crane is implementing them all. Three recommendations are already being implemented, including new crewing arrangements, local area networks on submarines and relocation of the Submarine Communication Centre from eastern Australia to Fleet Base West in Western Australia by the end of 2009.
The Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, said he was pleased to see that the Navy had taken the review's findings so seriously.
"While Australia's submarine fleet remains capable, its long term sustainability depends on the wellbeing of Navy's submariners," he said.