USS Higgins (DDG-76) - FAQ

FAQ

• How do they get electricity? To obtain electricity, the GTG, or Gas Turbine Generator, burns some of the ship’s fuel to create electricity. • What do the sailors do when the ship is damaged? When the ship is out at sea and it is damaged but not serious, there are machines that will pump excess (extra) water out from the ship. There are lifeboats for the crew if the ship’s damage is serious. The ship will also destroy all data on the ship will so enemies can’t use it. • How do sailors get food? There is a 6 month supply of food inside the giant fridge. Each time the ship stops at a new place, it gets more food. • How do the sailors get water for bathing and drinking? Sea water is processed through two reverse osmosis watermakers which provide up to 24,000 gallons of potable water per day for bathing and drinking. • Where do the sailors sleep? There are separate resting and sleeping sections for the male and female, called Berthing Areas. To sleep, there are bunk beds called rack beds with a small curtain.

• Where and what do they eat? Sailors eat in the mess deck. They eat pretty much the same food as they would at home.

• Do they wash/dry dishes themselves? No, they use a special machine for washing/drying dishes.

• How does the restroom work? The vacuum toilets use mostly air to flush, and the waste goes to the VCHT (Vacuum, Collection, Holding, and Transfer) tank. It collects the wastes until the tank is full, and the sewage is disposed of at sea, or pumped to the deck connection and shore facilities when in port.

• How do sailors communicate and warn each other? To talk to or warn the crew, there are announcers everywhere. The announcer can announce to different rooms at any time.

• How do the sailors talk to other people at home? There isn’t any signal to make calls. Instead, sailors use satellite power to call. Cell phone using is usually not allowed on the ship while it is active, except on some occasions. It confuses equipment that is on the ship, like a plane.

• What are antennas used for? Antennas are used for seeking targets and receiving signals. Each has a different use.

• Where is the ship controlled? The bridge is where you can control the ship, check the speed, and see what is near the ship with the radar.

• What do they use to search? Lights on the ship are for signaling other ships or searching. When the crew spots a friendly helicopter, there is a place for it to land on the ship.