Okay... The Sevastopol is a Premium BB, so there are no special requirements for the BO other than his level (you can use any sailor to drive a PBB as long as the sailor's level is high enough). This only applies to PBBss (maybe other premium ships, but I'm not sure). For the rest of the ships you need to choose ships from the shipline. So, if one of your BO's didn't go down the CV line, he won't be able to drive the Essex.

I don't know if I was very clear,  but I hope it helps. :)

I may be missing my CV BO then..  I took an extended break for about 14 months and now i am trying to piece my crews back together again..  the two BO's I have now are 83 and 84.  Is there a way I can see what path I have taken them?  I am certain that I had a CV BO prior to my absense... and I was running my essex with him.

I am beginning to think that since my absense accured during the server adjustment.. I may have to level another BO to operate CV's...  both of my BO's are set to operate BBs.. 

Is this something the DEVs can fix?

In the sailor waiting list: Click the right button on the sailor, "CLS" or such, can't remember what its labeled as on BOs.

Edit: its SHP on a BO, click that to see your selected shiptree...

Send a support ticket.

I could only come up with two explanations to what's happening. Either you had another BO that you dismissed, or you used a BO shiptree reset on the BO you were using for your CV, and switched him to a BB line.

same thing happened to my BO and they fixed it quick.  no worries its ez fix