‘A Floating Prison’: Civilian Mariners Say They’re Stuck on Navy Ships

More than 5,000 civilian mariners who work for the Navy’s Military Sealift Command are affected by the “Gangways Up” order. With few exceptions, they have been stuck aboard their ships for months. Sometimes they are prevented from going home to their families who live just miles away, like in Hampton Roads.

Meanwhile, they’ve watched military personnel and contractors come on and off and go home to their families at night -- not bound by the same rules.

“There is growing anger, frustration and despair throughout the fleet,” three unions that represent civilian mariners wrote in a letter last month to Rear Admiral Michael Wettlaufer, who heads the command. “People have a breaking point and many of these crewmembers are nearing it.”

Recently, the command has allowed some leave, though each exception must be individually approved.