Publication:Navy Annual 2005/HMAS ARUNTA'S Flexi-crewing Trial
BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MICHAEL TURNER, CSM, RAN
On Friday 01 July 2005 the most significant change to managing personnel at sea for many years commenced with the start of the flexi-crewing trial onboard the Anzac Class Frigate (FFH) HMAS arunta. An outcome of sea Change, flexi-crewing explores alternatives for addressing a number of the action items arising from the initiative. the trial involves HMA ships Arunta and Warramunga, is scheduled to run for two years, and involve junior sailors.
Flexi-crewing is primarily aimed at guaranteeing opportunities for genuine respite and therefore improve the operational effectiveness of the ship. This is achieved through rigid enforcement of the flexi-crewing golden rule: "Each junior sailor should not be programmed to work or be on duty for more than 225 'required-for-duty' days per annum." Conversely each junior sailor is guaranteed 140 days off during the year except in cases when the sailor is classified as 'ineffective'. Time off includes normal annual leave, weekends, public holidays, with the remainder being short leave. Exceptions to the golden rule can only be authorised by a delegate of the Maritime Commander - the Anzac Capability Element Manager.
To achieve the golden rule without placing undue strain on those remaining onboard, additional personnel are posted to Arunta to create a rotation pool. In determining the extra personnel requirements, two additional factors were taken into account: ability to conduct training and the operational tempo of the ship. The training aspect is aimed to ensure sailors are able to complete all promotion pre-requisite training, professional development courses, continuation training and whole-ship training requirements while posted to the ship. The operational tempo is dictated by the Fleet Activity schedule (FAS) averaged over four years for all Anzac Class Frigates. The minimum number of personnel required onboard on any given day to achieve the tasking or mission was determined based on this operational tempo.
These two factors combined were used to calculate a crewing index, with the result being a requirement of a Flexi-crewing pool of 38 junior sailors for an FFH, with an additional seven sailors identified to be shared between the two trial ships and HMAS Stirling.
Sailors have been given the opportunity to develop a personalised plan covering every day of the first year of the trial to take into account ship commitments, training opportunities and personal leave preferences. This process has afforded a measure of certainty and control not previously available to junior sailors. Individual plans are amalgamated at the divisional level to ensure that the divisional commitments can be met and a check made at the ship level to ensure whole ship obligations are covered. The result is a mini-posting plot.
To determine the success or otherwise of the trial, it will be evaluated by independent authorities. The evaluation process will compare the operational, empirical and attitudinal differences between the flexi-crewed ships and HMA Ships Anzac and Toowoomba, which are being used as control ships.
The trial evaluation findings will be an essential input to any decisions about continuing to implement the flexi-crewing concept or extending it to other Major Fleet units.
