Missouri (BB 63) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 42 text:

Sea Trial, Crew Certification The Chief of Naval Operations re- quired the Commander Naval Sur- face Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to con- duct a crew certification to evaluate USS Missouri ' s crewmembers training prior to going to sea. This certification was done in two visits by a team from COMNAV- SURFPAC consisting of experts for each area to be evaluated. Four areas were exam- ined: Propulsion, Navigation, Ship Control and Damage Control. The first visit, on October 28-29, 1985, dealt primarily with the level of crew train- ing. This was done to make sure each crew- member, from the Commanding Officer to the most junior Seaman, received all the required Precommissioning training. In- cluded in the visit was an evaluation of training received from Fleet Training Cen- ter, San Diego, and an overall review of the ship ' s training plan and divisional training records. Items of particular interest were PQS, training records, and watchstander qualifications. At the end of this visit, dis- crepancies were noted and corrected prior to the second visit. The final certification visit, on January 21-23, 1986, consisted of an onboard evalua- tion of each watchstander ' s ability as ob- served during a simulated underway Fast Cruise environment. The objective of the Fast Cruise was to provide USS Missouri crewmembers an opportunity to demon- strate their ability to safely take the ship to sea. This visit included a recheck of the areas of Navigation, Ship Control, Propul- sion and Damage Control including emer- gency drills and engineering drills. Certification of a unit ready for sea is ac- complished through verification of training, inspections, and drills. The hard work of the crewmembers, the extra hours put in by all hands, the inspections and drills, staying alert for safety hazards, all paid off when the certification team said, Well Done, the Ship is Ready for Sea. USS Missouri is underway using her own power for the first time in 30 years on February 28, 1986. At right, 0S3 Bob Harkins receives assis- tance from Capt. A.L. Kaiss, Prospective Commanding Officer, in wearing the inflatable life preserver during a sea trial crew certifica- tion exercise.

Page 41 text:

As the new teak wood decks were ground down level on the deck outside under a protective canvas cover, fire was being reintroduced inside one of the ship s firerooms. BTC Steve Cox is the safety observer as BT ' 2 Mike Carpmail handles the torch for lighting No. 8 boiler for the first time in more than 30 years.

Page 43 text:

The clean sweep broom, at upper right, is set to be hauled up by SMC Mike Kennedy and SMI Ora Hughes signaling a successful completion of sea trials. Above left, crew training for all phases began early with the basics like knot tying. This board was the handiwork of BM3 Greg Soriano, SN Willem Borne, LTJG Tim Berg f eld, BMCS Dennis Retan, SN Darin Clement, and BM3 Christopher Gilmore. At left, following a group briefing on small boat rescues, the theory was put into practice on the starboard side aft. Down be- low, FN Timothy Long keeps a watchful eye on the guages as the main engine spins prior to get- ting underway.