SYDNEY, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The Royal Australian Navy's submarine fleet is spending less time at sea because of crew shortages, The Australian reported Tuesday.
Quoting navy officials, it said the service is 30 percent shy of crewmen for it's six Collins Class submarines, each of which requires 45 men to operate at full capability. Shortages are most acute in the categories of electronic and acoustic warfare specialists and mechanical and electrical technicians.
"The navy is currently experiencing a shortfall of submariners of about 30 percent of requirement, a Defense Department spokesman said. "The shortage of submariners has meant there has been a reduction in sailing days."
The number of days cut from sailing schedules has not been disclosed, and the navy insists that it continues to "meet all of its operational tasks and requirements" despite the shortfall.
The navy plans a new package of pay incentives to lure recruits into submarine service, in addition to those unveiled in December as part of an overall recruitment and retention effort for the military services.
Among changes for submariners in the December plan was a pay increase and a provision to allow recruits to go directly into submarine service instead of first having to serve on surface ships.
