Over 200 sailors moved off aircraft carrier due to spike in suicides

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - In Virginia - the U.S. Navy is relocating hundreds of sailors who had been living on an aircraft carrier as it investigates a jump in crew suicides.

The Navy is now looking-in to the deaths of seven crew members on the USS George Washington, including four by apparent suicide in the past year.

Monday - more than 200 sailors were allowed to move to a Navy facility while the ship goes through a major re-fueling and overhaul in newport news.

The idea is give crew members more access to support programs.

The Navy also plans to provide additional morale and well-being measures for the 2,000 to 3,000 sailors still living on the carrier during the overhaul, which is expected to take a number of years.