By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Tristan Miller, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Harry S. Truman's (CNV 75) INSURV Assessment Team is gearing up efforts to prepare the ship for the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).
INSURV is a major inspection mandated by Congress to test a crew's damage control ability, the ship's material conditions and the overall readiness of the ship.
Adm. David Farragut established INSURV in 1868 to show the American people that the ships of the U.S. Navy are being properly maintained and are capable of performing their duties while deployed.
The crew will be thoroughly inspected on its ability to perform preventive maintenance, locate and resolve discrepancies, and set material conditions, said Lt. j.g. James Barkley, a member of the INSURV assessment team.
The INSURV assessment team is selected by the executive officer to prepare Truman and her crew for the actual INSURV inspection, which starts in June.
"We are here to help the crew focus on the assessment process, to help guide them in preparation for INSURV," Barkley said. "Small things get overlooked sometimes, and we are the outside eyes to help catch them."
Truman is scheduled to begin the five-day inspection starting June 1. More than 140 inspectors will be on board assessing every space on the ship, with three to six personnel inspecting each space at once.
Each inspector will focus on one specific aspect of the space from proper electrical wiring and equipment maintenance to overall cleanliness. Each department is responsible for its spaces during the inspection, making it an all hands effort.
"All Sailors should recognize these are their spaces and they should reflect the pride and respect of each department," said Lt. Cmdr. James Winfrey, Truman's INSURV coordinator. "We are practicing for INSURV everyday, if we continue to demonstrate our ability to fight the ship, and that we can properly maintain the ship, INSURV should run smoothly."
INSURV is usually conducted every five years. The inspection is conducted in port as well as out to sea. The information obtained during the inspection is sent to the chief of naval operations, and his assessment determines whether or not the ship will be able to deploy on schedule.