Recent inspections of two U.S. Navy mine warfare vessels in the Middle East turned up boatloads of problems, according to official inspection reports prepared earlier this month. The Ardent (MCM-12) and the Dextrous (MCM-13) were inspected this summer in Bahrain and the results were not good. The inspection reports indicate the Ardent failed to achieve minimum equipment to support the minesweeping demonstration (there were problems with power units, cranes and a winch). Further, the crew was deemed to be unfamiliar...
