The Trident submarine HMS Vengeance has returned to the Clyde after what unofficial estimates suggest has been the longest patrol ever carried out by a Royal Navy ballistic missile submarine, according to images shared by local photographer Michael Deveney.
Deveney photographed the submarine heading up the river towards Faslane on the morning of 15 November, with crew on the casing and the hull heavily weathered after months at sea. Sharing the images, he wrote: “HMS Vengeance on the Clyde this morning, finally returning after 7 months on patrol.”
Open source estimates by defence commentators suggest Vengeance sailed on 12 April, when a Vanguard-class boat was seen leaving Faslane. A return on 15 November would put the deployment at around 217 days, beating the previous record of 205 days set by HMS Vanguard, which returned in April. Vanguard had set the earlier record of 204 days on a patrol the year before.
The Ministry of Defence does not confirm the length of deterrent patrols. In a written answer last year, the department said: “We do not disclose details of the operation, including the duration of time spent at sea,” adding that “such information could be used to undermine the security and capability of the mission and our personnel.”
Patrols have grown longer as maintenance delays have left fewer boats available to share the task. The UK Defence Journal reported in April on the crisis behind Britain’s record-breaking submarine patrols, including the four-year overrun on HMS Vanguard’s deep maintenance and the knock-on delay to HMS Victorious. In October, three of the four Vanguard-class submarines were at sea at the same time, with one believed to be on patrol and two on sea trials ahead of taking over, while Victorious remained in maintenance at Devonport.
Operation Relentless, the Continuous At Sea Deterrent, has kept at least one ballistic missile submarine on patrol at all times since 1969. The four Vanguard-class boats are due to be replaced by the Dreadnought class from the early 2030s.
Welcome back, and huge thanks to everyone in the crew, and your families.
You shouldn’t have to be at sea for so long, and your service and efforts are much appreciated.
Very much appreciated,but our lords and masters should hang their heads in shame!