DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 4730.5S
N09P
22 Mar 2022
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 4730.5S
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: MATERIAL INSPECTIONS OF VESSELS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF
INSPECTION AND SURVEY
Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. §8674
(b) SECNAVINST 5040.3B
(c) SECNAVINST 5030.8C
(d) OPNAVINST 5420.70H
(e) OPNAVINST 4770.5J
(f) OPNAVINST 4700.7M
(g) OPNAVINST 4700.8L
(h) OPNAVINST 5090.1E
(i) OPNAVINST 5100.19F
1. Purpose. To establish, implement policy, assign responsibility and identify requirements
concerning Material Inspections (MI) of U.S. Naval vessels conducted by the Board of
Inspection and Survey (INSURV). This instruction is a complete revision, to include
comprehensive changes directed by reference (a) and should be reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 4730.5R.
3. Scope and Applicability. This instruction applies to all the vessels on the U.S. Naval Vessel
Register (NVR) per reference (a). For meeting the requirements of this instruction, a vessel is
defined as those that are listed on the NVR as active.
4. Background. Inspections conducted by INSURV provide assurance to Congress, Secretary
of the Navy (SECNAV), Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Fleet Commanders, Systems
Commanders (SYSCOM), Type Commanders (TYCOM) and Commanding Officers (CO) that
mechanisms to identify, document and resolve material deficiencies are adequate; that these
processes are judiciously executed; and that they provide the commensurate level of
effectiveness, efficiency and material readiness. Reference (a) prescribes that examination of
naval vessels be conducted by boards of naval officers to make recommendations to SECNAV as
to which vessels, if any, should be stricken from the NVR. Per reference (b), this examination
must provide assurance to SECNAV, CNO and Fleets of an inspected unit’s fitness for service;
identify material conditions that limit mission capability; and report to SECNAV, CNO, Fleet
Commanders and TYCOMs the statistical information regarding material deficiencies.
Additionally, reference (b) establishes inspection policy which promotes ascertaining an
individual command’s self-assessment effectiveness. Reference (c) is the SECNAV’s general
guidance for the classification of naval vessels and battle force ship counting procedures and
