I know that people are generally discouraged from using Machine Gunners for their
usual lack of usefulness, but is it just that they really suck and don't have much
noticeable effect on a ship's AAW, or do are they simply not activated at this time?

Thanks! (When I was new I naively decided to get a Machine Gunner, and even though
I have since realized that DP gunners are the better choice, I'm still curious to know if it
will ever be useful, or if I should just dismiss it now.)