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Wasp Continues INSURV Preparations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091113-01
Release Date: 11/13/2009 5:31:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Andrew McCord, USS Wasp Public Affairs

USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) is currently preparing to undergo a scheduled March 2009 Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment.

"The goal with INSURV is to keep a steady strain with our preparations, with a continued focus on cleanliness, materiel condition, demonstrations and INSURV rehearsals," said Lt. Shannon Wiens, Wasp's INSURV coordinator. "The Sailors have really turned to and made a huge difference in the overall cleanliness of the ship. That is the first impression INSURV will have when they walk on board and sets the tone for the rest of the inspection."

Easily the broadest inspection for a naval vessel, INSURV is designed not only to evaluate the readiness of a ship but also the crew's ability to self-assess.

"In terms of inspections, this is the big one – the one that determines where we're at, how we're doing in terms of taking care of our ship and how our ship is going to fare in terms of ability to accomplish the mission," said Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Lowell D. Crow. "When you consider the magnitude of the inspection and what it entails, it really brings together everything that we, in the Navy, do on a regular basis – maintenance, training, drilling – and all of these things keep us and our ship battle-ready."

As the inspection approaches, Wiens said that the level of "ownership" being taken by the crew has increased dramatically.

"The Sailors are already making a difference in preparing for INSURV," said Wiens, noting that command-mandated evolutions are affecting the overall motivation and readiness of the crew. "The weekly field days will continue, as well as the focused cleanings on berthings, fan rooms and ventilation. Sailors know their spaces. If there is a discrepancy or broken piece of gear, they need to take it upon themselves to ensure the appropriate actions are taken."

Despite the importance and time spent preparing for the INSURV assessment, it is a relatively quick assessment, lasting less than a week. Conducted underway, as well as inport, the schedule of events includes a ballast demo, an anchor demo, a full-power run and a "detect-to-engage" check. Along with other checks, the assessment team will conduct thorough space inspections throughout the ship.

"If you haven't been through an INSURV before, this is a 24-7, all hands evolution if we want the ship to be successful," said Wiens. "The lesson we learned from the previous mock inspection was that practice makes perfect. It's only going to serve to make us better and increase the ship's readiness for INSURV."

INSURV, a U.S. Navy organization, has the specific purpose of inspecting Navy materials, of which a main focus is on ships. Inspection teams are required to visit U.S. naval ships at intervals not to exceed 60 months. The inspection teams evaluate a ship's readiness to conduct combat operations at sea and to systematically check installed equipment. Originally founded in 1868 under Adm. David Farragut, Congress officially established the institution under statutory authority in 1882.

For more news from USS Wasp (LHD 1), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.