Sailors aboard another US aircraft carrier are reportedly facing shortages of food and basic supplies after months at sea, amid growing concerns about morale among crews deployed in the Middle East. Loved ones of sailors on the USS George H W Bush have told independent journalist Aaron Parnas that the ship has “virtually no food, water, or soap” after more than four months at sea.

“They’ve been out at sea for 146 days with no end in sight,” one family member told Parnas. “Morale is low, and everyone is miserable. It’s heartbreaking.”

The family member said she learned about the conditions from her sister-in-law, who returned to the US for a family emergency and described the situation aboard the ship.

The USS Bush left Norfolk, Virginia, in March and is currently in the Arabian Sea as part of a carrier strike group.

The reports come as concerns about conditions aboard another US aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, have emerged. The Lincoln has been deployed for 266 days, according to reports, and is also operating in the Middle East.

Stars and Stripes and Navy Times have reported that several sailors aboard the carrier have attempted to go overboard or have gone overboard. In one reported incident, a sailor spent about an hour in the water before being rescued.

The Lincoln’s deployment had been due to end in May but was extended during the US war with Iran. Its more than 5,000 crew members have reportedly spent only two days in port during the deployment – in Guam in December and Oman in July.

Reports have also emerged of shortages of fresh food and concerns over the quality of meals served aboard the ship.

Family members told MeidasTouch that sailors were unable to obtain fresh food such as milk and that some frozen meat had arrived spoiled.

One sailor’s relative told MS NOW that their loved one had been eating “half a cup of rice and two tortillas” a day. Families have also described mould in showers, toilets that were out of service and laundry rooms that had been inaccessible for weeks.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed reports about conditions aboard the Lincoln as “fake news”.

However, military officials told CBS News that the USS Lincoln is now being relieved of duty by another carrier, the USS George Washington.