b. Those conditions of such excellence that
Acceptance Trials and Inspections
their dissemination will be of value to other
ships
Trials and inspections are conducted by the Board
of Inspection and Survey on all ships before final
c. Those suggestions or recommendations
acceptance for naval service to determine whether or not
which merit consideration by higher
the contract and authorized changes there to have been
authority
satisfactorily fulfilled. The builder's trials and
The final smooth report is written up in a detailed
acceptance trials are usually conducted before a new
procedure following the type commander's directives.
ship is placed in commission. After commissioning, a
final contract trial is held. Similar inspections are made
on ships that have been converted to other types. All
BOARD OF INSPECTION AND SURVEY
material, performance, and design defects and
INSPECTION (INSURV)
deficiencies found, either during the trials or as a result
of examination at the completion of trials, are reported
The INSURV is under the administration of the
by the Board, together with its recommendations as to
CNO. This board consists of a flag officer, as president,
the responsibility for correction of defects and
and other senior offficers as required to assist the
deficiencies. The Board also recommends any changes
president in carrying out the duties of the board.
in design which it believes should be made to the ship
Regional boards and subboards are established, as
itself or other ships of its type. These recommendations
necessary, to assist the INSURV in the performance of
are made to the Secretary of the Navy.
its duties. In this chapter, the discussion centers on
shipboard inspections made by suboards. These
Unless war circumstances prevent it, an acceptance
subboards consist of the chief inspector and 10 or more
trial takes place at sea over an established trial course.
members, depending on the type of ship that is to be
The tests include full power runs ahead and astern, quick
inspected.
reverse, boiler overload, steering, and anchor engine
tests. During the trial, usually the builder's personnel
Material Inspections Made by the Board
operate the ship and its machinery. Ship's personnel
who are on board to observe the trial carefully inspect
the operation and material condition of machinery and
The inspection made by the INSURV is similar to
equipment. They note all defects or deficiencies and
the material inspection that has just been discussed. In
bring them to the attention of the division or engineer
fact, the INSURV's inspection procedures, condition
officer so that each item can be discussed with the
sheets, and reports are used as guidelines in establishing
appropriate members of the Board of Inspection and
directives for the material inspection. The primary
Survey.
difference is that the material inspections conducted by
Forces Afloat, usually a sister ship, while the INSURV
inspection is conducted by a specially appointed board.
Survey of Ships
This distinction, however, refers only to routine
shipboard material inspection. It must be remembered
Survey of a ship is conducted by the Board of
that the Board of Inspection and Survey conducts other
Inspection and Survey whenever a ship is deemed by the
types of inspections.
CNO to be unfit for further service because of material
condition or obsolescence. The Board after a thorough
Inspections of ships are conducted by the Board of
inspection, renders an opinion to the Secretary of the
Inspection and Survey, when directed by CNO, to
Navy as to whether the ship is fit for further naval
determine their material condition. Their inspection
service or can be made so without excessive cost.
usually takes place four to six months before regular
When the Board believes that the ship is unfit for
overhaul. Whenever practical, such inspections are held
further naval service, the Board makes appropriate
sufficiently in advance of a regular overhaul of the ship
recommendations as to the ship's disposition.
so as to include in the overhaul all the work
recommended by the Board following the inspection.
Upon the completion of its inspection, the Board reports
SHIP TRIALS
the general condition of the ship and its suitability for
There are a number of different types of trials which
further naval service, together with a list of the repairs,
alterations, and design changes which, in its opinion,
are carried out under specified conditions. A list
should be made.
including most of them is given here:
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