History

The Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) was initially established in 1870 by Congress to ensure that the ships of the U.S. Navy are properly equipped for prompt, reliable, sustained mission readiness at sea.

In 1882, Congress enacted legislation which established INSURV under statutory authority, U.S Code Title 10, 7304, which requires a Board of Naval Officers to conduct a material inspection of all naval ships at least once every three years, if practicable. INSURV has been operating continuously under this authority since that date.

Additional and Applicable Governing Guidance
In addition to the U.S. Code Title 10, 7304, SECNAVINST 5040.3, Department of The Navy Inspection Program (DONIP) and OPNAVINST 4730.5 (series) Trials and Material Inspections of Ships provide additional directions and responsibilities to the President, Board of Inspection and Survey (PRESINSURV).

Instructions and procedures established by PRESINSURV for conducting inspections, surveys and trials are found in the following INSURV instructions;

• INSURVINST 4730.1, Material Inspections of Surface Ships

• INSURVINST 4730.2, Material Inspections of Submarines

• INSURVINST 4730.3, Trials of Surface Ships