SUBIC BAY, Philippines –
The crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), currently on deployment, is preparing for the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), scheduled to take place Oct. 27-28.
The board carries out INSURV inspections on Navy ships every three to five years to ensure compliance and conduct extensive checks on installed equipment. Peleliu's INSURV inspection falls on the other end of the spectrum as its function is to ensure the ship maintains a mission readiness status after its scheduled 2015 decommissioning.
"A decommissioning INSURV's purpose is to inspect and document the material condition of the ship prior to decommissioning and place the documentation on file in case an order to reactivate the ship is given," said Chief Warrant Officer Andre Ross, Ship's Material Maintenance Officer and Peleliu's INSURV coordinator. "This gives the reactivation committee a tool for estimating the budget cost of bringing the ship back to life."
Peleliu's INSURV inspection, although not graded, also presents many new challenges as the ship is currently deployed, said Hull Technician 1st Class Randi Macrorie, Peleliu's assistant INSURV coordinator.
Combat systems, engineering, damage control, electrical, deck, habitability, medical, propulsion, navigation, supply and weapons checks will all be a part of the INSURV inspection.
"The crew will complete 199 events and the preparations and rehearsals will not go unnoticed by the INSURV inspectors" said Macrorie. "Being deployed as we are, the crew is doing an excellent job preparing for this decommissioning INSURV."
The accelerated timeframe, in addition to being in a deployed status, has Peleliu's leadership and crew fully engaged, said Ross.
"There won't be much time to rehearse the schedule of events, but because we have skilled technicians, familiarity of the equipment will not be a problem," said Ross. "I have great departmental coordinators who are very proactive and that helps a great deal in the preparation phase."
Preparations for an INSURV typically begin a year prior to inspection. The INSURV notification did not arrive until late August giving the crew just two months to prepare, said Macrorie.
"The crew of Peleliu is no stranger to challenges and just like any other mission, from anywhere in the world, the crew will show strength and perseverance, and get the job done," said Macrorie.