Final answer:
Phase 3 of the Davis Plan involved the upgrade and maintenance of vessels to meet sea-worthy standards, influenced by Mahan's strategies on naval power. The transfer of the USNS Bold to the EPA exemplifies the utilization of naval resources for environmental research, echoing the plan's focus on maintaining robust and versatile seafaring capabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phase 3 of the Davis Plan (1973) focused on upgrading and maintaining the fleet to ensure that the vessels met seaworthy standards. This was part of a broader strategy, influenced by Alfred Thayer Mahan's seminal work, The Influence of Seapower upon History, which highlighted the importance of a strong navy for the expansion and maintenance of an empire. Mahan emphasized the need to modernize the fleet, establish a network of naval bases, and construct a canal across Central America to aid naval movement. The U.S. followed Mahan's guidance, resulting in the Naval Act of 1890 and the significant expansion of the U.S. Navy.
With the transfer of the USNS Bold to the EPA, which later became the OSV Bold, we see a legacy of maintaining seagoing capabilities for purposes beyond warfare, such as ecological monitoring. The OSV Bold is an example of repurposing military vessels to support environmental research and education.