After careful consideration the United States Navy will decommission the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), an amphibious ship of the class Wasp, due to the extensive damage suffered by the fire last July.
The Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth J. Braithwaite, wanted to clarify that "This decision was not reached lightly but following an extensive evaluation in which various lines of action were taken into consideration, which led us to the conclusion that it is economically disadvantageous to repair it".
Also adding that “Even if the fact that it is not convenient to repair it, I know that the legacy of this ship will live on through the brave men and women who fought so hard to save it. As well as the sailors and marines who served aboard the RICHARD for 22 years ".
After the fire, a Navy commission of inquiry conducted a study to assess the damage suffered by the ship, the conclusions were that in order to return the Bonhomme Richard it would take over $ 3 billion and five to seven years to complete.
Subsequently, the Navy examined the possibility of restoring the ship to assign it to other purposes, however this option would also involve an outlay of at least 1 billion dollars, exceeding the cost of building a hospital ship or a submarine.
Since July, the US Navy has taken numerous actions aimed at providing immediate improvements in fire prevention and safety for all fleets and ground installations.
In addition, the fleet commanders have issued a fire safety assessment procedure. The aim is to conduct random inspections in order to assess the correct application of the safety rules on board the naval units, with priority on the ships undergoing maintenance.
