Skeleton crew

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the book by Stephen King, see Skeleton Crew.

The term skeleton crew is used to indicate the minimum number of personnel needed to operate and maintain an item at its most simple operating requirements, such as a ship or business, during an emergency and, at the same time, to keep vital functions operating.

[edit] Uses

Some example uses of skeleton crews include:

• shipboard: the barest minimum number of personnel to keep the ship operating after it has been damaged and awaiting tow to port.

• hurricanes and typhoons: the least number of personnel to remain at a business location during a major storm to monitor conditions and to make emergency repairs, if possible.

• inactivity: the least number of personnel necessary to keep an inactive facility from being vandalized, such as a Texas Tower, a commercial building in transition between owners, etc.

• temporary closings: the smallest number of employees to monitor and maintain the facility while it is otherwise shut down for a holiday, strike, etc.