The inspection program serves as an excellent training opportunity for the Navy Reserve and provides me with valuable insights. The Navy also helped us with the engineering package that paved the way for the Congressional grant. We want all donated ships to be successful, including the USS New Jersey. Therefore, site selection is critical. Each donated ship museum should be separated by a minimum of fifty miles to ensure the financial success of both museums.
Ships increasing in age require more and more maintenance.
The operating budget must be raised each and every year. You can not depend on public grants over the long term. There is high public and political interest in obtaining ships.