
The ninth Austal USA-built Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, the USNS City of Bismark (EPF-9), finished acceptance trials in October, the company said last Friday.The trials included “intense comprehensive tests” in the Gulf of Mexico by the Austal-led team while the ship was underway, demonstrating the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment.The trials occur with the service’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), which inspects and evaluates the ship to certify readiness for delivery. This is the last…