SHIP’S SERVICES

One of the most undervalued sections on any ship is the one that is most important to the well-being of its crew. It is however, we recognized throughout Starfleet that the main resource of any ship is the personnel who serve it - and they must be operating at 100%. Having appropriate support services aboard is vital, as most starship's operate for weeks, months, and in some cases, years away from a friendly station. Without competent and efficient support services, morale and functionality would plummet, placing the lives off everyone aboard at risk.

As a Battle Cruiser with a large complement of crew, the Southern Cross has great need for highly effective and well structured support network. This is well taken care of with a unit of skilled and highly trained technicians who perform the necessary functions that make up the Ship’s Services division.

Morale & recreational

One of the most important duties assigned aboard our ship, is that of the Moral & Recreational Officer.
This officer is responsible for ensuring that the crew has ample opportunity for the relief of any of the stress and tension that can usually be found on board a heavily armed ship of the line. The Morale & Recreational department assists in maintaining an atmosphere of relaxation and joviality by ensuring that there is plenty of humour and goodwill dispensed throughout the ship, with the creation of suitable activities such as musical, theatrical or movie performances.  These functions are always well attended on the Southern Cross.

 
To serve the social needs of the crew, the Southern Cross has two main lounges, and three smaller bar/lounge facilities. But because of the need for the increased accommodation requirements due to the very large number of Marines attached to the ‘Cross, the ship has only two holodecks – one of which is used exclusively for Marine training.

The two main lounges are -

Lizard Lounge

Situated at Seven For’ard (Deck Seven, Forward) this is the main and largest lounge used by the crew. Primarily (but not exclusively) frequented by the Bridge Officers, this lounge offers a full restaurant service, albeit via the services of a quadruple set of replicators.

The bar itself, has a hand-made rare wooden counter, fashioned from Kauri, a native hard-wood from New Zealand and was presented to the ship by the Director of the Federation Penal Settlement in Auckland when the Executive Officer passed through the city while on shore leave, just prior to the ships’ final commissioning.
The wall to the starboard side of the main bar, is adorned with a wooden Maori carving depicting Tangaroa the God of the Sea which was presented to the crew by the 11th Brigade Commander of the 6th Marine Division at the naming ceremony held for the ship This carving is one of a pair, the other – depicting Tumatauenga, the Maori God of War – hangs in the Officers Mess.

The lounge is decorated in ‘traditional’ style, although there is a noted influence of ancient pop culture from the late Earth 20th Century period that has become of singular interest to the crew (particularly that of a group named “The Beatles”, whose stylized silhouettes frame one wall by the main observation lounge entrance.
At the furthest corner from the bar, is the entrance to the “Reading Room”, housing an old-fashion ‘library’ of hard cover, antique, reproduction books where crew can while away off-duty hours reading.

The Stockade Bar

Named for a famous event in Australian history, this very popular lounge is designed and fashioned for a typical 19/20th century Australian hotel bar. Featuring a very long, marble topped counter, the lounge offers draught beers selected from a range of taps that are famous for their ‘relaxation’ qualities.

These beers have been specially brewed in very traditional manner and carry names that are reminiscent of a long ago culture that existed some 300 years before.  Beers with names such as Tooheys, Crown Lager (commonly referred to as “Crownie” ), VB, Melbourne Bitter, Swan, Coopers and XXXX to name but a few. The bar of course also stores (as do all other lounges)other various potent alcoholic beverages, such as chech'tluth, Aldebaran whiskey, Saurian brandy, Tzartak aperitif, Tamarian Frost, Warnog, Antarean brandy, and countless others.

The walls here are adorned with antiques from both Australian and New Zealand cultures, with stock whips, bush hats and boomerangs hanging beside Maori war clubs, spears and (for some unknown reason) a battered and chipped, wooden child’s toy styled after a large bee

Here, crewmembers can get a Vegemite sandwich; jaffles and other old-fashioned, “snacks”, all hand-prepared (no replicators here) by our well trained bar-staff who also double as chefs and waiters when occasion calls.
Inter-service ‘games’ nights are a regular feature in this lounge, with the adjoining ‘Games Room’ hosting regular Fleet versus Marines, or inter-Division contents, all competing in ‘sporting events’ such as pool and snooker, darts, 3-d chess, and card games such as Euchre, 5 stud poker and  others.
The Stockade is certainly a popular place owing to the large complement of Marine troops and flight crew that are on board at any one time, the requirement for mess halls are greater than on other similar class vessels, and the Southern Cross has a total of eight mess halls to accommodate crew needs

The Woods

One of the most popular social places on the ship, is the Marine Senior NCO's Mess located on Deck 15..

This mess hall is referred to by its nickname as 'the Woods", as it has been affectionately been named after one of the most famous battlegrounds in marine history - that of the Battle at Belleau Wood  in France, Earth, during the world war of 1914 to 1918.

You will find most Marines (including officers) will only ever refer to this popular recreational facility by that name and the lounge is indeed treated with great reverence.  An invitation to attend senior NCO mess functions by other ranks or officers on board the ship, are always treated with great honour.

The lounge facility comprises of not only restaurant facilities (only a small replicator is operative within the mess hall) that serves hot food, 24 hours every day. The small bar is a highly laminated affair made of glowing steel that under bright lighting conditions, can prove almost blinding - a handicap to any over intoxicated persons for certain..

The seating arrangements in this small lounge have been create to replicate those of a maritime naval ship from previous centuries - with several small, square, tables that are bolted to the floor, surrounded by a few well-worn leather armchairs, a couple of couches and several tall "beer-drinkers" tables.

The walls of this bar are adorned with the images of several historically honoured marines of the old-Earth Marine Corps of several nations; a few from the original Colonial Marines, the UNPF Corps and today's SFMC.. Hanging beside each of these images, are framed , replications of the individual's awards

(click on link to view a small selection of these images).

The senior  NCO's mess is well known as a lively, rowdy place - filled with laughter, song, nostalgia and above all else- military language (although upon entering, military protocols are traditionally left outside..)

The door emblem/logo depicts an ancient Earth tribe symbol (Celtic) for 'Devil Dogs', the names given to the US Marines by their German Army opponents, who fought at the Battle of Belleau Wood back in June 1918. This bar then is indeed a living, breathing reminder to all Marines, of the deeds of their ancient forefathers and of the camaraderie that is generated by remembrance of past heroism and of the baptism of fire.

Please Email theChief of Ships Services – Lt Sandra Mutter If you Have any Questions

Contact Ships Services -