Many people wonder whether crew members can take leave when warships return to the shipyard for repairs.
This question is indeed frequently asked.
Generally, when a warship needs repairs or modifications, the process can take a considerable amount of time, sometimes up to a year or even several years.
For example, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the US Navy may undergo a major overhaul that lasts up to four years.
Similarly, ships like China's Type 136 "Hangzhou" may require approximately three years and eight months for refit.
During this period, what do the crew members do? Are they allowed to take leave?
In reality, they cannot take leave. For instance, during a four-year overhaul of a US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, while the shipyard's 4,000 workers are engaged in the overhaul, the crew onboard isn't idle.
Apart from roughly 2,900 aviation personnel who must remain on the ship, the remaining crew members are transferred to shore-based aviation stations to continue aircraft training and maintenance tasks.
The remaining 3,100 crew members work alongside shipyard workers for nearly 2 million man-hours, with sailors responsible for one-third of the ship's overhaul work.
Similarly, in the Chinese Navy, when a ship undergoes repairs or upgrades, crew members follow the work schedule closely, jointly undertaking repair, upgrade tasks, as well as training and familiarization with new weapons and equipment. There is no leisure time.
In other words, many sailors may start their naval service working on ship repairs and may not even have the chance to sail until retirement.
For crew members, a warship's entry into the shipyard doesn't mean vacation;
it's a period of intense and busy work. During this time, they need to participate in the ship's refit and maintenance to ensure it returns to operational status as soon as possible.
This includes repairing and replacing ship equipment, as well as adapting to and training with new weapons and equipment.
They also need to closely cooperate with shipyard personnel to complete various tasks.
Therefore, for crew members, entering the shipyard is not a time for rest; it's a time to work hard.
In such an environment, sailors' tasks are heavy, requiring more effort and sweat. They may face various challenges and difficulties, but they will exert themselves to ensure the ship returns to operational status as soon as possible.
Because only when the ship is in good condition can it safeguard the country's maritime security and protect its maritime interests.
Therefore, although working in the shipyard may be tough, for sailors, it's a responsibility and a mission—a duty they must fulfill as naval personnel.
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