Why Doesn't Starfleet Utilize Seat Belts on Star Trek Ships?

Article Overview

Star Trek: Lower Decks brings attention to the existence of seat belts on Starfleet ships, prompting the query as to why bridge crews do not utilize them more frequently. Despite being a standard safety precaution in contemporary vehicles, seat belts are observed sparingly in certain Star Trek endeavors.

The lack of seat belt usage on starships is likely due to filming logistics and the desire for dynamic action scenes, rather than a lack of in-universe justification. However, Starfleet officers should prioritize the use of seat belts more frequently.

Star Trek: Lower Decks demonstrated that Starfleet ships do indeed have seat belts, yet, inexplicably, starship captains and crews rarely utilize this essential safety feature. Since the premiere of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, starship crews have endured being tossed around the bridges of their vessels. It is puzzling that even the most basic cars in the 21st century are equipped with seat belts, yet advanced starships of the distant future lack this fundamental safety measure. While Starfleet ships are equipped with inertial dampeners to protect the crew during warp travel, they appear to be less effective in instances of weapon impacts or encounters with spatial anomalies.

Star Trek: Lower Decks Shows Starfleet Ships Have Seat Belts After All

In the tenth episode of season four of Star Trek: Lower Decks titled "Old Friends, New Planets," Starfleet cadet Nick Locarno (portrayed by Robert Duncan McNeill) is depicted as disgraced. In an attempt to liberate lower-level officers across the galaxy, Nick brings together the ships and crews he has been assembling throughout the season, forming his new Nova Fleet. Claiming it to be the first completely independent and unaligned fleet in the Alpha Quadrant, Locarno kidnaps Lt. Beckett Mariner (played by Tawny Newsome) under the misguided belief that she would support his cause. Meanwhile, Mariner endeavors to subvert Locarno's plans from within his fortified base while Captain Carol Freeman (portrayed by Dawnn Lewis) and the crew of the USS Cerritos work tirelessly to rescue her.

In order to sway the Federation, Locarno resorts to a menacing tactic by threatening them with a Ferengi Genesis Device from the black market. This device possesses the capability to eradicate all life on a planet. Mariner, after being taken captive by Locarno, subverts his fleet-wide message by openly branding him as "an idiot with a senseless plan." However, Locarno interrupts her before she can continue. Mariner seizes the opportunity to snatch the Genesis Device and flees aboard the Starfleet vessel, the USS Passaro. To prevent the Genesis Device from sliding around on the ship's bridge during their tumultuous escape, Mariner secures it in the neighboring seat, humorously referring to it as her "new First Officer" with the initials "G.D." As events unfold, this proves to be a wise decision, especially when Mariner finds herself compelled to navigate through an ion storm to elude Nick's relentless pursuit in search of his bargaining tool.

The presence of seat belts on Starfleet ships raises the question of why the bridge crews do not utilize them more frequently. Seat belts have been observed in a few instances throughout various Star Trek projects, but their usage is not as prevalent as it should be. Shuttles and smaller ships often employ seat belts or harnesses, allowing for faster adjustments in speed and direction. In J.J. Abrams' Kelvin timeline Star Trek films, both the USS Franklin and the USS Enterprise are equipped with seat belts.

During an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) proposed the incorporation of seat belts on the Enterprise NX-01, although her suggestion went unnoticed.

Why Star Trek Doesn’t Use Seat Belts Even If Starships Have Them

There is no clear explanation within the story for why starship bridge crews do not frequently use seat belts. Although the presence of inertial dampeners eliminates the need for constant seat belt usage, they would prove valuable in combat scenarios. Numerous bridge officers have sustained injuries due to being thrown from their seats during enemy attacks or complex evasive maneuvers. Given the advanced technology of the future, it should be feasible to construct automatic seat belts or harnesses that deploy in dangerous situations.

The absence of seat belts on starships could potentially be attributed to their novelty and limited prevalence in everyday vehicles during the 1960s when TOS first aired.

The reason Star Trek officers don't use seat belts is primarily due to logistical reasons during filming, rather than actual scientific explanations. The dynamic nature of intense battle scenes is enhanced when actors freely move around the bridge. Additionally, the aesthetic appeal is maintained by avoiding the inconvenience of visible straps crossing over their uniforms. Furthermore, officers, especially captains, frequently walk around, making the constant buckling and unbuckling of seat belts bothersome. While it would be advisable for Starfleet officers to wear seat belts more often, Star Trek: Lower Decks has confirmed the presence of seat belts on their starships. Stream season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find it intriguing that Star Trek: Lower Decks has brought attention to the existence of seat belts on Starfleet ships, despite their infrequent use. The lack of seat belt usage has been a longstanding question among fans, and it's interesting to see the show address it, even if it's just for a humorous moment.

I think it's important for Starfleet officers to prioritize the use of seat belts more frequently, especially considering the dangerous situations they often find themselves in. While inertial dampeners may protect the crew during warp travel, they don't seem to be as effective in instances of weapon impacts or encounters with spatial anomalies. By not wearing seat belts, Starfleet officers are putting themselves at unnecessary risk.

Overall, I think it's a positive step that Star Trek: Lower Decks has acknowledged the existence of seat belts on Starfleet ships, and I hope that future Star Trek shows will follow suit and show the crews using them more frequently. It's a simple safety measure that could make a big difference in protecting the lives of Starfleet officers.