Ship Status Modes

Created by Captain Aviram Drell on Tue Aug 6th, 2019 @ 12:58am

Red Alert
Red alert (also condition red or code red) is the highest alert signal status on Starfleet vessels, one stage above a yellow alert. In this status, weapons systems and shields are brought to full power, as the ship prepares for combat. Red alert is also ordered during various other emergency situations, such as a ship being boarded, radiation exposure, a security alert, massive systems failure, an imminent warp core breach, and an evacuation order among others. During a red alert, lights are dimmed, alarms blare, and computer terminals show constant red graphics. A red alert may either be activated manually by the Commanding Officer, the officer in charge or automatically (when a ship is attacked, enters a dangerous area, etc).

Battle Stations
Battle stations is often accompanied by Red Alert status, but can occasionally be used during Yellow Alert. All Senior Bridge Officers are to report to the bridge while all other personnel report to assigned stations.

Yellow Alert
Yellow alert (also condition yellow or code yellow) is the second highest alert signal status on Starfleet vessels, one stage below red alert. It designates a ship-wide state of increased preparedness for possible crisis situations. In this status, shields and deflectors are brought to full power, however the weapons systems remain off line. A yellow alert may either be activated manually by the commanding officer in preparation for a tactical or environmentally hazardous situation, or automatically upon detection of unknown or hostile spacecraft, or upon detection of certain system malfunctions. If the situation escalates, the commanding officer or the main computer will order a red alert.

Condition Green
Condition Green indicates that all systems are operating normally and there is no threat to the vessel. This is the standard operating condition for Starfleet vessels on a daily basis.

Condition Blue
Blue Alert (also Code Blue or Condition Blue) was an alert signal status on Starfleet starships and outposts which is called for in exceptional situations, ranging from environmental hazards to the crew, to docking and separation maneuvers, cloaking, and landing protocols, for ships with the capability. All crew are to report to Condition Blue stations.

Grey Mode

Grey mode is an alert status used aboard Federation starships. When in gray mode, starships run on reserve power, cutting power to non-essential decks and ship systems. It allows for maximum power conservation, budgeting a starship's energy resources during a time of crisis, while still maintaining an operating status. Gray mode can be invoked during a massive fuel shortage, or when the tactical situation required a reduction in discretionary energy usage.

When a vessel is operating in gray mode, a number of ship systems are either reduced to a lower operating status, or shut down completely, including:

* The warp core, which is brought to a cold shutdown
* Inertial damping and structural integrity systems, which are operated at minimum output
* Tactical and lateral sensors, which are only used for primary ship functions
* Deflector systems, which are either shut down, or reduced to minimum levels for non-flight operation
* Weapons systems, phasers and photon torpedo launchers, are brought off-line
* Shuttlebay operations are suspended, as the shuttlecraft could provide energy support if necessary
* Life support systems are brought to minimum levels, and shut down on non-essential decks
* Transporter usage is terminated
* Turbolift usage may be suspended at the commanding officer's discretion
* Food replicator are not used, and emergency rations are distributed
* Holodeck or holosuite usage is terminated

The recycling of non-essential items, which could be broken down into raw matter patterns by the replicator, is commonly practiced. Preserving the replicator for usage only during critical situations (such as replicating repair tools, medicine, etc.) could help extend the energy resources of the ship.

Updated: 08/05/2019