One of the most advanced warships in the fleet of the United States Navy is facing an unexpectedly down-to-earth problem — malfunctioning toilets. The USS Gerald R. Ford, a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East, has been struggling with widespread plumbing failures that have left much of its nearly 5,000-member crew waiting in long lines just to use the bathroom. Reports say sailors have had to queue for up to 45 minutes as the ship’s complex vacuum-based sewage system repeatedly breaks down.

While Navy officials insist the issue does not affect combat readiness, the situation has sparked jokes online, with critics pointing out the irony of a multi-billion-dollar warship being sidelined by bathroom troubles. Repairs are limited while the carrier remains at sea, meaning the crew must endure the inconvenience until the vessel returns to port. For now, it seems even cutting-edge military technology isn’t immune to very human problems.

Source: Prothom Alo