USS Columbia

USS Columbia
General Information
Registry	NCC-76991
Class & Type	Galaxy-class Explorer
Affiliation	Starfleet
Status	Active
Commissioned	2373
Assignment
Unit	Fourth Fleet Expeditionary Group
Key Personnel
Commanding Officer	Captain
Executive Officer	Commander
Template:Starship

"Audentes fortuna juvat - Fortune favors the bold."

    —Vergil- Ship's Dedication Quote

USS Columbia (NCC-76991) is a Galaxy-class explorer assigned to the Fourth Fleet. The Columbia has had a long, illustrious career serving Starfleet and is deemed one of the finest postings to be assigned.

Design and Layout

As one of the original six Galaxy-class ships that Starfleet ordered to be built, the Columbia retains some of its original appearance. Being one of Starfleet’s premier explorers, the Columbia has done well after almost three decades of service to keep up with the other newer explorers.

Shipboard Life

Shift Duty

The Columbia runs on a four-shift rotation across a twenty-four-hour day. Alpha Shift ran from 0800 hours to 1400 hrs. Beta Shift ran from 1400hrs to 2000hrs. Gamma Shift starts at 2000 to 0100 hours, while Delta Shift commences at 0100 hours and finishes at 0800 hours.

Shift Duty In Play

• It is improbable that your character would be on the Alpha Shift (this is the one most of the senior staff operate).
• While on duty (be it Beta, Gamma or Delta), your shift supervisor may be one of the Senior Staff or another higher-ranking officer.

Bridge, Deck One

USS Columbia's bridge in 2400

Through the years, the Columbia has received significant improvements through refits and maintenance; one area that has changed is its bridge. All stations are equipped with holographic interface technology to assist the crewmembers operating them if needed.

In the centre of the bridge is the command pit, where the chair for the captain, first officer and another senior officer are located. The command pit is surrounded by a long wooden handrail that houses the security and tactical stations. The operations and helm consoles are right before the command pit. From starboard to port along the aft bulkhead, include the consoles for Mission Ops I, the MSD and Mission Ops II. The science stations are located on the starboard side of the bridge, while the opposite side is designated for communications and engineering.

The aft alcove to the port side of the bridge includes two doors. One is used for turbolift access, while the other is access to bathroom facilities. In the aft alcove to the starboard side is a door leading down the corridor towards the observation lounge and another for the second turbolift. In the forward starboard alcove, one entry gives access to the emergency turbolift to the battle bridge, while on the opposite side, it gives access to the captain’s ready room.

The Bridge In Play

• The bridge will be a place only when an ensign needs to cover a station as part of the Beta, Delta and Gamma Shifts.

Observation Lounge, Deck One

Observation Lounge in 2400

The observation lounge is situated at the back of the main bridge and is typically utilised as a conference room. Its noteworthy feature is the sizable windows that face aft, providing a breathtaking view of the Columbia from behind. Along the main wall are glass cabinets showcasing models of previous starships named Columbia made of gold. The middle of the bulkhead is where the computer terminals are located, which present data and information during briefings. The conference table, with seating for ten people, is the room's focal point. There are two doors at either end of the room and replicators.

The Observation Lounge In Play

• As an ensign, you would not be invited to a senior staff briefing; however, your department head may call you and others in your division to join them for a briefing (be it for a mission or a regular update).
• You may also receive orders to help clean the Observation Lounge.

The Ready Room, Deck One

The Captain's Ready Room

The Captain’s Ready Room is where the commanding officer works in private or holds meetings with a few crew members. They keep a few personal items here, but it can also be used by other senior officers in charge of the bridge in his absence.

The Ready Room In Play

• This is the captain’s sanctum, so unless you are being spoken to directly by them (or another senior staff member), you will unlikely step foot in here.

Main Engineering, Deck Thirty-Six

Main Engineering, c.2400

Main Engineering is the heart of the ship. This is where most of the systems are maintained and is the home to the warp core. Most command functions are accessed in the centre of Engineering via the ‘pool table’. Holographic projectors are used in this room to show the status of a variety of the ship’s systems.

Main Engineering In Play

• If you are an engineer, then this is where you may work for most of your shift. If the Chief Engineer is off duty, then one of the shift supervisors will be in charge.
• While on duty in Main Engineering, you may be required to oversee or repair a system's diagnostic.

Transporter Rooms

The standard layout of all transporter rooms

One of the main forms of transport to and from the ship. The transporter rooms are usually where an away mission starts. Here away, teams will find equipment lockers outfitted with the latest devices, tools and resources needed to complete their objectives. The Columbia has at least twenty transporter rooms.

The Transporter Room In Play

• Ensigns going on away missions will meet here and be beamed down by whoever is on duty in the transporter room.
• If you are an engineer, you may have a shift in one of the transporter rooms. What transporter disasters may you witness?

Sickbay, Deck 12

Sickbay, c.2400

Columbia’s medical facilities are vast. Though the sickbay is large, this does not include the numerous wards and labs available to the ship’s doctors. The vessel has a suite of EMHs that can be used across the ship at any time during a crisis.

Sickbay In Play

• Ensigns working in the medical department, whether an assistant, nurse, or doctor-in-training, will find themselves here when on duty. Characters will encounter illnesses and injuries and participate in many treatment procedures. You may find yourself with patients who come back more than once.
• As the ship has several EMHs (not Mark Is), what type of personalities might you encounter as one of the medical staff?

Ten Forward, Deck 10

Ten Forward, c.2400

Ten Forward is the main area for socialising with other crewmembers. This is where most of the crew relax and unwind off duty. Ten Forward is operated by a Lanthanite woman named Marlagretta. She is always mixing new drinks for anyone to try and is happy to give anyone some wisdom.

Ten Forward In Play

• Crewmembers can interact with others here over a drink or something to eat.
• Ten Forward normally hosts a weekly social event, be it a musical performance, a themed evening or where a diplomatic event may take place.
• Marlagretta is the Guinan of the Columbia.

Lower Decks Social Space

The Lower Decks Bar

Though Ten Forward is open to all staff, there is a large social space and bar primarily set aside for the lower deck crewmembers of the ship. This space acts as the primary cantina for the lower-ranked crew and a social area with a bar.

Lower Decks Social Space In Play

• Within here, players will find multiple replicators and a bar manned by a bartender who serves beverages from across the Federation and beyond.
• Based on the bar and social space seen in Lower Decks, the crew will often relax and enjoy company with their friends.
• Though primarily visited by ensigns and other low-level crew, it is common for more senior crew members to sometimes be present.

Arboretum, Hydroponics and Labs

File:ColumbiaArboretum.webp

Arboretum

Primarily used by the crew for relaxation and as an escape from the endless corridors of the ship, it is where people often feel like they can forget they are on board a starship. Associated with the arboretum is a large hydroponics complex which produces a significant amount of fruit and vegetables from all over the Federation that is used onboard the ship to give a slight taste of home. The head arborist oversees these facilities.

The ship's primary botany labs are located next to these facilities used to study alien plant life.

Arboretum and Hydroponics In Play

• Rarely ever empty as crew, passengers and civilians alike often wander along its pathways.

History

The Columbia was one of the six Galaxy-class spaceframes constructed but not fully assembled during the initial production run of the class, held in reserve for either a time of great need or to replace one of the original six production units. Columbia ended up doing both, as her completion and fitting out were ordered following the destruction of the USS Odyssey. By the time the Dominion War broke out, her core systems such as engines and weapons were ready, but she was launched without the vast majority of her labs and crew support systems. After serving as a battleship for the duration of the war, Columbia returned to dock in 2376 and was brought up to current exploratory standards.

As of 2400, Columbia has been refit twice and remains a preeminent Starfleet exploratory platform.

Notable Crew

Commanding Officers

• 2400 - 2400: Captain Noah Armstrong