Rowden directs all surface ships undergo 'ready for sea assessment'

In the wake of multiple collisions in U.S. 7th Fleet, Naval Surface Forces commander Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden is directing that all surface ships undergo a "ready for sea assessment," according to an official information dispatch.

The RFSA is a two-day event for sailors to focus on foundational skills to operate a warship safely. On the first day the training will be in port and the second day, work will be conducted at-sea, the Oct. 11 dispatch reads.

All forward-deployed naval ships in Japan must complete the assessment no later than Jan. 31, 2018, while the remaining surface vessels must be cleared by June 30, 2018.

The Fitzgerald (DDG-62), John S. McCain (DDG-56), Antietam (CG-54) and Lake Champlain (CG-57) were all involved this year in mishaps in U.S. 7th Fleet.