JOINT FLEET MAINTENANCE MANUAL

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COMFLTFORCOMINST 4790.3 REV A CH-2
4.3.3 Scheduling. Fast Cruise is scheduled immediately prior to underway trials. Approximately 7 days prior to the
first underway trial, the Supervising Authority with the concurrence of the CO/OIC notifies the Ship Program
Manager that the ship is ready to commence Fast Cruise (Volume I, Chapter 2, paragraph 2.4.1.v of this manual
refers).
4.3.4 Specific Test Areas. Appendix B of this chapter lists the minimum evolutions and drills to be conducted
during Fast Cruise. Additional drills and evolutions are at the discretion of the PCO or OIC. References (b) and (c)
provide additional information for Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carriers, reference (e) for non-nuclear surface ships.
4.3.5 Reports (Nuclear Powered Ships only). The Supervising Authority with concurrence from the PCO/OIC
reports the successful completion of Fast Cruise using the format of Volume I, Chapter 2, Appendix B7 of this
manual (submarines only). Volume I, Chapter 2, paragraph 2.4.1 of this manual refers.
4.4 SEA TRIALS.
4.4.1 General.
a. The policies, procedures and responsibilities pertaining to Sea Trials for ships undergoing construction
are set forth with reference (d). References (a), (f), (g) and (h) augment the basic instruction.
b. Sea Trials for the various platforms undergoing construction differ in complexity, conduct and scope of
Ship's Force involvement. Non-nuclear platforms such as the DDGs or LHDs go through Builder's
Trials (BT) which for the most part are conducted with little to no involvement by Ship's Force.
Industrial activity employees take the ship to sea and perform the majority of system/equipment testing.
Paragraph 4.4.2 of this chapter provides additional information concerning BTs.
c. Nuclear powered ships' Sea Trials, however, are much more orientated to Ship's Force involvement.
Ship's Force is responsible for taking the ship to sea and operating all shipboard equipment. The terms
Alpha Trial, Bravo Trial, Charlie Trial, Combined Trial (CT) and Guarantee Material Inspection (GMI)
are most often associated with submarine Sea Trials whereas Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carriers
undergo BTs prior to Acceptance Trials (AT). Subsequent paragraphs provide amplifying information
concerning these trials.
d. Underway trials following construction, particularly initial submerged and test depth trials for
submarines, must be undertaken with the knowledge that the crew lacks recent experience operating as
a unit and that the ship's structure and fittings have not been tested in an at-sea environment. All tests
and procedures must be conducted carefully and methodically. In the case of submarines, systems and
components designed to operate at test depth should not be exercised at test depth for the sole purpose
of proving the design. They should be operated at the deepest depth at which they might be used.
Trials and tests which are inherently hazardous should not be conducted. For example, a submarine's
hovering system should not be demonstrated at test depth. Reference (i) provides additional
information concerning the testing of submarine seawater systems during underway Sea Trials. Sea
Trials following new construction are normally conducted with a significant number of "riders". These
riders represent Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), TYCOM, Shipbuilder and Board of
Inspection and Survey (INSURV) personnel onboard to observe various tests and trial evolutions. The
ship's normal loadout of Lithium Hydroxide canisters, Emergency Air Breathing (EAB) masks, Steinke
Hoods/Submarine Escape Immersion Ensemble suits (as applicable), and Lithium Hydroxide curtains is
not sufficient to support this increase in personnel. Therefore, four additional Lithium Hydroxide
canisters, one EAB mask, one Steinke Hood/Submarine Escape Immersion Ensemble suit (as
applicable), and four Lithium Hydroxide curtains must be carried for each rider exceeding normal crew
manning. Lithium Hydroxide canisters, EABs, Steinke Hoods/Submarine Escape Immersion Ensemble
suits (as applicable), and Lithium Hydroxide curtains are to be obtained from the industrial activity.