141105-N-TC437-121 Bremerton, Wash. (Nov. 5, 2014) – Sailors look out from the hangar bay as Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transits Rich Pass. Stennis is completing a Docking Planned Incremental Availability maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ignacio D. Perez/ Released)

Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew P. Holmes

Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) began preparations for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) scheduled to take place July 2015.

INSURV is a congressionally-mandated inspection of Navy ships that occurs every three to six years to ensure ships are fit to conduct sustained combat operations. An INSURV Preparation and Assist Team visited Nov. 17 for the first of four preparatory inspections designed to provide technical advice.
“INSURV is important to the Navy because taxpayers pay for all naval vessels,” said Lt. Cmdr. Todd Nelson, Stennis’ INSURV coordinator. “We have an obligation to ensure aircraft carriers last 50 years and the public needs to know that Sailors are taking care of the ship properly.”

INSURV is an inspection of all equipment aboard the ship, from radar systems to damage control gear to light fixtures. The INSURV Preparation and Assist Team is here to ensure equipment is functional and deficient equipment is documented as an extension of the ship’s material maintenance management (3M) program.

“INSURV is a test of our 3M program and our culture of material readiness,” said Nelson. “You can’t prepare for INSURV six months before the inspection, it’s constant, we can’t expect to be ready if we don’t prepare.”

The inspectors will go through every space on the ship so every member of the crew is responsible for success during INSURV.

“It’s going to take every member of the crew to pass, regardless of department,” said Lt. Cmdr. Loren Nichols, Stennis’ INSURV training coordinator. “It’s going to be long hours of preparation and maintenance, because putting in a trouble call isn’t enough. We have to ensure equipment can operate correctly, and when we buy into that thought process INSURV will become easier.”

For more news from USS John C. Stennis visit www.stennis.navy.mil or www.facebook.com/stennis 74.

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