US nuclear aircraft carrier George Bush crippled by toilet outages

The A Register (UK) ^ | November 17, 2011 | Lewis Page

[Zakeet]

The US Navy's newest and mightiest nuclear aircraft carrier, the USS George H W Bush*, has been plagued by continual failures in its lavatories, according to reports. Sailors have been forced into increasingly desperate measures to relieve themselves.

The Navy Times, following up initial stories of the problems appearing on blogs, quotes members of the 5,000-strong ship's complement as stating that at times there hasn't been a single working head – as lavs are known at sea – anywhere aboard the entire mighty hundred-thousand-ton warship. Reportedly the Bush is fitted with no less than 423 thrones, but it appears that problems with the suction flushing system can easily knock out large numbers of these at once – or even all of them.

According to the NT's unnamed sources, crewpersons aboard the carrier have struggled to cope with the situation. It seems that desperate sailors must often hunt for long periods to find a functioning head, and if they do discover one there may be a lengthy queue. Some of the unfortunate matelots have apparently resorted to urinating in sinks or showers, or in some cases off the towering sides of the ship (parts of it are as high above the waves as a 20-story building). The latter is a risky practice, however, as it is against regulations: at least one sailor has been put under punishment for doing so.

[Snip]

Naval commanders blamed the problems on inappropriate objects such as clothes or feminine hygiene products being flushed down the heads.

[Zakeet]

Perhaps some of you Freepers could recommend a solution to this rather embarrassing problem

[driftdiver]

Take a paper bag, use the paper bag, mail the paper bag to Romney.

[stubernx98]

Union built

[MrEdd]

No sh!t?

[SandRat]

Naval commanders blamed the problems on inappropriate objects such as clothes or feminine hygiene products being flushed down the heads.

Who would have guessed.

[dynachrome]

“feminine hygiene products being flushed”

Remove the women and problem solved?

[DJ MacWoW]

Day 48 Of The FReepathon
Do You Know Why?

There are loyal posters that donate every FReepathon. Some donate several times during every 'thon. But others never donate. Why?

1 My enemies haven't been zotted.
2 The owner doesn't support my candidate.
3 FR won't "upgrade" to "Like" buttons and blinky crap.
4 Someone else will donate.
5 My friend was zotted.
6 I lost my job and have no income.

Only one of those is a legitimate reason.

Support It Or Lose It

[meatloaf]

Doesn’t the military now keep DNA records for service personnel. Can they DNA the used feminine products? Problem solved. Dishonorable discharge.

[70times7]

Given the ships name, how is it that they did not expect feminine hygiene products?

[EGPWS]

Bite the bullet and buy a $10,000 tool!

[Pearls Before Swine]

Sailors have been forced into increasingly desperate measures to relieve themselves.

Now they'll understand what the OWS protesters are going through. /S

More seriously, it's hard to understand how this could be overlooked and neglected for as long as a full voyage, and nearly inconceivable that it could go on for multiple voyages. The sophistication of plumbing is nothing compared to the sophistication of so many other systems on the ship.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

That’s a good one.

[Jonty30]

All I can say is,”all hands aboard!”

Everything else, overboard!

[Libloather]

They can’t find a side to go over?

[smokingfrog]

Nuke the poop.

[70times7]

Doesn’t the military now keep DNA records for service personnel. Can they DNA the used feminine products? Problem solved. Dishonorable discharge.

Wouldn't a dishonorable discharge for that be double jeopardy?

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Who would have guessed.

So why don't any of the other ships on which women serve have this problem?

[thatdewd]

I heard that the entire ship had been supplied with toilet paper that had Barry’s face on every sheet. The sailors enjoyed using it SO much, that the ship’s sewage system was overwhelmed. It’s just a rumor...

[RckyRaCoCo]

"Not Gonna Do It...Wouldn't Be PruPoodent

[RightGeek]

Probably has “green” Al Gore toilets that pretend to flush with not enough water.