• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Bonhomme Richard on Course for Successful INSURV

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081009-06
Release Date: 10/9/2008 5:44:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Drew Williams and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class(SW/AW) Jeffrey Gabriel, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is working diligently in preparation for its Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection, less than a month away.

A team of INSURV inspectors will spend a week aboard Bonhomme Richard starting Nov. 3 to conduct the in-depth inspection of the ship, required every five years.

The Board of Inspection and Survey was established by Congress to ensure that U.S. Navy ships are properly equipped for prompt, reliable, sustained mission readiness at sea. They inspect Navy ships and material and report their findings directly to Congress.

"[INSURV members] validate that we are keeping this ship maintained, so we can take a fully-operational warship to sea and carry out our mission," said Cmdr. Michael R. Dickson, Bonhomme Richard operations officer and INSURV coordinator.

"We are less than 30 days till INSURV and right on schedule," Dickson continued. "We've been working to make certain that all compartments, all spaces and all pieces of equipment match a check-list for their operational guidance."

Bonhomme Richard began planning for INSURV in February, while carrying out its operational commitments, including participation in this summer's Rim of the Pacific exercise.

All around the ship, Bonhomme Richard Sailors are making great strides to ensure their ship is in the best condition ever. Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Brent Richardson explained the hard work and dedication the crew is putting in toward INSURV will pay off come November.

"Engineering has been working very aggressive six-on and six-off schedules to match the work that needs completion, such as correcting deficiencies with the steam-driven fire-flushing pumps," said Richardson, a native of Wichita, Kan. "We have also received lots of training to keep Sailors both knowledgeable and motivated. We are confident that our equipment will perform to its highest potential during evaluation, spotlighting all of our hard work."

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class(SW) Emerson Harris noted the deck department is also putting in long hours, preserving the ship and training personnel.

"It is important that we train our team for INSURV," said Harris, a native of Rocky Mountain, N.C.
"Preparing and qualifying personnel will definitely ensure a smooth inspection process. Even though we're putting in long hours, we have made good use of our time and expect nothing less than success."

Bonhomme Richard's Commanding Officer, Capt. Neil Parrott praised the crew for their hard work and dedication in preparing for INSURV.

"I am extremely proud of everyone's efforts getting Bonhomme Richard ready for this critical five-year inspection," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that we are thoroughly prepared to put the ship through its paces on inspection day. The opening line on every post-INSURV report states 'The ship was/was not well prepared for this inspection.' I know we will show as being prepared. We'll certainly have some issues, but I believe our advance preparation and hard work will get us through this comprehensive inspection with favorable marks."

For more news from USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd6/.