Ceremonies - Inspection

(The SKIPPER has just informed the OOD that he wishes to inspect the Ship. The BOS'N is facing the OOD awaiting instructions.)

OOD: "Prepare the Ship for inspection."

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir." (The OOD returns the salute, the BOS'N drops his salute and faces about.)

"Prepare for inspection." (The CREW LEADERS face about and quickly look over their crews. When satisfied, they face inboard and in ascending order by crews, each turns his head and eyes toward the BOS'N, salutes, gives his report, and when his salute is returned, drops his salute and brings his head and eyes front.)

CREW LEADER: (Salutes) "Starboard Alpha, ready for inspection, sir." (The BOS'N will return the salute without comment. The remaining CREW LEADERS report in like manner. When the last salute is returned, the BOS'N faces above to the OOD.)

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Sir, the Ship is ready for inspection."

OOD: (Returns the salute) "Very well, put the Ship at ease and take your post."

BOS'N: (Drops his salute, faces about to the Ship) "[Ship name], at ease." (The BOS'N remains at Attention and stands ready to be inspected. As the BOS'N puts the Ship at ease, the OOD turns to the Skipper and salutes.)

OOD: "Sir, the Ship is ready for inspection."

SKIPPER: (Returns the salute)

"Very well." (The SKIPPER moves off the quarterdeck and inspects the BOS'N. The SKIPPER may direct the OOD or the BOS'N to join him and take notes during the inspection. When so directed, the OOD or BOS'N places himself to the left rear of the SKIPPER and accompanies him throughout the inspection. As the SKIPPER approaches the BOS'N'S MATE's station at the port gangway, the BOS'N'S MATE comes to Attention. The SKIPPER halts, centered one step from the BOS'N'S MATE and facing him.)

BOS'N'S MATE: (Salutes)

"Boatswain's Mate [late name], ready for inspection, sir." (The SKIPPER returns the salute. The BOS'N'S MATE drops his salute. The SKIPPER inspects the BOS'N'S MATE; he may comment, but normally the SKIPPER reserves any criticism, informing the BOS'N of any discrepancies at the conclusion of the inspection. When the Skipper is finished, he and the BOS'N'S MATE exchange salutes. Then the SKIPPER moves to the after crew on the port side. As the SKIPPER departs, the BOS'N'S MATE comes to the position of At Ease.)

CREW LEADER Delta: (As the SKIPPER approaches, comes to Attention and to his crew)

"Port Delta, attention." (The SKIPPER halts centered one step from the CREW LEADER and facing him. The CREW LEADER salutes.)

"Port Delta, ready for inspection, sir." The SKIPPER returns the salute. The CREW LEADER drops his salute. The SKIPPER inspects the CREW LEADER, moves around to the left of the CREW LEADER, and halts in front of the first person to be inspected. At this time, the CREW LEADER executes an about faces and places himself to the right rear of the SKIPPER and accompanies him throughout the inspection of the crew. The party passes down the front of the crew, beginning at the right of the line. When the party has cleared the end of the crew line, the CREW LEADER commands:)

"One step forward, march." (The party then passes behind the crew. When the party has cleared the rear of the line, the CREW LEADER commands:)

"One step backward, march." (The CREW LEADER then marches to a position in front of the seaman at the right of the crew line, faces inboard and awaits the SKIPPER. The SKIPPER may comment briefly on the results. After concluding his remarks to the CREW LEADER, the SKIPPER and CREW LEADER exchange salutes, then the SKIPPER moves to the next crew. As the SKIPPER departs, the CREW LEADER commands:)

"At ease." (He then marches to his station, front and center of the crew, faces inboard, and comes to the position of At Ease. The SKIPPER proceeds clockwise around the deck, inspecting each crew in a similar manner. After inspecting the after crew on the starboard side, the SKIPPER may wish to discuss the results with the BOS'N, in which case the approaches the BOS'N's station forward of the bridge. The SKIPPER and BOS'N exchange salutes and the SKIPPER comments on the results of the inspection. After concluding his remarks, they again exchange salutes and the SKIPPER returns to the quarterdeck. As the SKIPPER departs, the BOS'N to the Ship:)

BOS'N: "[Ship name], attention." (As the BOS'N brings the Ship to attention, the SKIPPER enters the quarterdeck and after exchanging salutes, normally directs the OOD to proceed with the meeting program.)

OOD: (Faces the BOS'N) "Proceed with the scheduled activity."

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir." (The OOD returns the salute, the BOS'N drops his salute and faces about. The commands given at this time will vary depending upon the activity. Normally, the BOS'N will give the following command:)

"[Ship name], uncover, seats."