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NAVY NEWS

Navy to Decommission

USS Bonhomme Richard

30 November 2020, WASHINGTON

The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)
conducts air operations off the western coast of Australia.
(U.S. Navy photo by Captain George Doyon/Released)

After thorough consideration, between five and seven years to complete. The Navy also
the Navy has decided to decommission USS Bonhomme examined rebuilding the ship for alternate purposes and
Richard (LHD 6), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, determined the cost could exceed $1 billion, which is as
due to the extensive damage sustained during the July fire. much or more than a new-construction hospital ship, sub-
marine tender, or command-and-control ship.
“We did not come to this decision lightly,” said Secretary
of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. “Following an exten- Although the timeline for towing and dismantlement are
sive material assessment in which various courses of action still being finalized, the Navy will execute an inactivation
were considered and evaluated, we came to the conclusion availability that will remove systems and components for
that it is not fiscally responsible to restore her. “Although use in other ships.
it saddens me that it is not cost effective to bring her back,
I know this ship’s legacy will continue to live on through Since July, the Navy has taken numerous actions designed
the brave men and women who fought so hard to save her, to provide immediate fire safety and prevention improve-
as well as the Sailors and Marines who served aboard her ments across the Fleet and shore installations. Working
during her 22-year history,” Braithwaite said. collaboratively, the fleet commanders established a Fire
Safety Assessment Program to conduct random assess-
Following the fire, the Navy conducted a comprehensive ments of ship’s compliance with Navy fire-safety regula-
material assessment that concluded the cost to restore tions, with a priority on ships undergoing maintenance
Bonhomme Richard could exceed $3 billion and require availabilities.

20 The Mariner • 2020 WINTER Edition • Volume 63 • Issue 3