THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 28, 1995 TAG: 9510280327
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
The Navy's newly designed ``leisure berth'' could provide a spacious alternative to cramped living quarters aboard ships. Sailors got a look at the 24-square-foot quarters that may become the standard for enlisted members.
Sailors have traditionally spent their off hours at sea sleeping, reading and resting in their bunks. But the beds, dubbed ``coffin racks,'' are stacked three deep, with a mere 18 inches between them. There's barely room to turn over, much less sit up.
On Friday, however, sailors got a look at a newly designed ``leisure berth,'' a 24-square-foot mansion of a home that could eventually become the new standard for enlisted members' sleeping quarters.
A wooden ``model home'' mockup was constructed on a pier at Norfolk Naval Station, and sailors were invited to take the grand tour.
``This is a quantum leap for the quality of life aboard ships,'' said Edward Meere, habitability program manager for the Naval Sea Systems Command, which set up the model. ``This is a sailor's home, when they're at sea, for six months at a time. And for 18, 19-year-old kids who don't have their own apartments, this is home all the time.''
Meere emphasized that the model was set up only to get feedback on the design from those whom it would most affect. If the leisure berths are approved, he said, they will probably go into new ships first, then gradually replace berthing on older ships.
``The cost is only marginally more than the modular units we installed five years ago,'' he said. ``But we're thinking about the crews and their concerns. I, personally, am dedicated to - driven to - enhance the quality of life for our sailors.''
Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Cowan, a gunner's mate stationed aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, said he hopes the new units arrive ``like, next week.''
``I think the old berths came in with steel ships,'' he said.
In a questionnaire, sailors were asked to describe their current berthing arrangements and evaluate the features of the display model.
Cowan and a shipmate, Petty Officer 2nd Class William Mason, agree that ventilation fans installed in each berthing area are the highlight of the new design.
``The best thing is the fan,'' said Mason, who is single and lives aboard ship. ``I also like the increased storage area and the mattresses and the idea that you can sit up in bed.''
Existing berthing allows 7 1/2 cubic feet - about the size of the average office wastebasket, Meere said - for storage of each sailor's clothing and personal items. There's also a narrow, short locker for garments on hangers. The new design increases storage by 70 percent.
Mattresses have a more comfortable inner spring, instead of the standard piece of foam rubber.
The leisure berth was designed by J. Carey Filling, a naval architect who works for Advanced Marine Enterprises Inc.
``I felt sorry for them,'' he said of the Navy's enlisted personnel. ``Here they join the Navy, then they're put in a space that's not even what some prisoners get. And then they're expected to re-enlist.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON, The Virginian-Pilot
Sailors were invited to tour a ``model home'' Friday at Norfolk
Naval Station. Some agreed that the highlights of the new design are
ventilation fans installed in each berthing area.
Chart
COMPARING THE BERTHS
Standard Berth Leisure Berth
Length 79.25 inches 103.5 inches
Width 27.75 inches 28 inches
Height 90.25 inches 85 inches
Minimum distance between berths 18 inches 18 inches
Maximum distance between berths 18 inches 36.8 inches
Area 18.33 sq. feet 24.4 square feet
Stowage area per crew 7.5 cubic feet 12.78 cubic feet
Hanging space per crew 9.5 cubic feet 17.7 cubic feet
by CNB