A Vanguard-class nuclear submarine has returned from a six month patrol, a commendable feat that also highlights growing safety concerns surrounding the ageing Royal Navy fleet.
The submarine, which recently returned to Faslane, was noticeably encrusted with barnacles and covered in algae after what is believed to have been a taxing six-month-long tour.
Such extended periods at sea not only place a considerable strain on the submarine’s crew but also on their families waiting back home.
The exceptional duration of this patrol has amplified questions regarding the UK’s diminishing submarine resources. With multiple boats currently sidelined for repairs and maintenance, there’s mounting pressure on the operational vessels to fill the void.
Currently, the UK has four Vanguard-class submarines. At least one submarine from this class is patrolling the seas at any given time. However, only HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance have been active this year due to extended repair works.
In response to concerns, the Royal Navy stated, “We don’t discuss the length of patrols. We deeply value the commitment and dedication of our submariners and their families. To acknowledge the challenges they face, all submariners on Vanguard-class submarines receive an extra payment after an extended period at sea.”
This latest patrol, marking the 55th year of the continuous Operation Relentless, was met with much celebration. Operation Relentless represents the UK’s longest sustained military operation, ensuring that a British submarine armed with the nation’s ultimate weapon is always patrolling the world’s oceans, ready to act since 1969.
Welcoming the submarine home at the Clyde Naval Base were Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key. Families eagerly waved to their returning loved ones, knowing that another Vanguard-class submarine has already taken its place at sea.
Deputy Prime Minister Dowden expressed his gratitude, stating, “The Continuous At Sea Deterrent is vital to the UK. I’m humbled by their service and understand the sacrifices made by our crew and their families.”
Echoing these sentiments, Admiral Sir Ben Key remarked, “It’s an honor to welcome our crew back. Their dedication is unmatched, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to their families. The continuous efforts of our Defence Nuclear Enterprise, industrial partners, and government have enabled 55 years of unbroken deterrent patrols.”
Forget the time at sea.
How many matelots have just resigned following RTB?
13 Years of mismanagement, “it’s coming home, it’s coming home…”
Probably not that many – there’ll be some but they were probably planning to go anyway.
That sub could do reprinting for a start
Seriously? Jeez
repainting might be better?🤔
They are not actually painted its the Acoustic Tiles that are black because of the Rubber component. Just need a good scrub down.
Maybe they could ‘print’ the ‘acoustic tyles’. 😎
I instead would put some trees and flowers in it. 😋
They would of been runing out of the main gate 😎
At first glance i thought that was a stock photo of them raising the Mary Rose!
The War Zone has a decent article on this with some good pics of the algae growth; https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/vanguard-submarine-arrives-home-absolutely-caked-in-algae
Cheers, great article but also with a few unanswered questions in regards to patrol length and reasons! But, she looks rough as fuck, deffo a badge of honour I’m sure in the Sub service in regards to length and location of patrol! 👍
Suggest have a look at Navy Lookout for informed ‘hypothetical’ scenario. Just don’t take notice of some of the commentators on there, it’s not the site’s fault.
One even suggests discussing now’s the time to get rid of CASD as there is no perceived risk. Sound’s like future politician material, maybe?
This was reported a while ago. It looks like a sea monster with that stuff stuck to it.
Just another episode of Dr Who
Maybe it is a disguised Godzilla…
Never ever seen a pic of any sub looking like that mate!
A very long time in warmer waters at slow speed = requires a haircut upon return!😂
😂👍
Only capable of carrying 8 trident missiles? They have space for 16 don’t they? I know they usually only half-fill the subs but have they just completely stopped maintaining half of the missile compartments?
TBH, 1 trident missile is going to ruin your day.
No fella they haven’t stopped maintaining the tubes that don’t have missiles in them. Those tubes are used for training drills, which are conducted at least once a week, via simulated ‘firing’ message from Northwood.
Just goes to show why you need four and a steady drum beat of work at the shipyard.
Paying the price now just when we need then more than ever.
That’s what happens when you let the Lib dems and a guy called Dave from Eton get in to government for 5 minutes.
Lol yeah “call me Dave”…call me fuckwit more like 😂
This is a knock on affect due to refits taking much longer than planned. We still have 4 V boats in service.
While I have no love of ‘Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber’ there is more to it then their stupidity! Vanguards botched refit/re-fuelling is the primary reason we are in this state. Some 7 years out of the programme and a full work-up/trials package to complete before she can go out on patrol again. It has left the other 3 boats picking up the slack for those years. It has delayed essential docking periods(Vanguard was in the dock), thus everything was mounting up, and has now caught up with us. Victorious is now in Devonport having been out of the programme… Read more »
Yes, well explained.
Being an ex R boat rating who was involved in deterrence patrols in the 90s I understand the stresses it puts on crews. But my question on the length of this patrol is, where did they store all the food?
On my last trip (~ 150 days) we filled half the bomb shop with skimmed milk and put extra freezers wherever there was space
False decking John – Helensburgh B&Q were doing a rip-roaring trade in 4 by 2 the week before she left the wall 😉
That’s what 6 months submerged does to a boat. Bloody Hero’s spending 6 months on patrol in one of these. 🇬🇧
Agreed, strange people but deffo a massive well done! Now use those free sunbed vouchers the RN gave you 😂👍
Would not be surprised if we’ve secretly allowed CASD to lapse on occasion.
Maybe time to consider a 5th sub with the Dreadnoughts, as originally intended with the Resolutions
Must of ran out of super glue has it 😂😂😂😂😂
From the best SM service in the World to a broken and thoroughly under invested arm of the RN
Started going when some bright spark got rid of the Upholder boats and now other Naviesare looking at Dieselelectric boats , and then they shut down Dolphin but at least the SETT is now a listed building at this present time we have more boats waiting for full disposal then frontline Mike
Respect to the crew on board, they have to be some of the smartest, patient, tech savvy geeks in the RN! No way could I do what they do, even if I was brainy enough, it’s not natural drifting about, 500 feet under water for 6 bloody months! Amazon must do a quick profit on vitamin D and C prior to deployment 😂 👍
And the rest mate, frozen and fridge stuff can probably be stretched out to 115-120 days, after that its all dry, tinned and powdered stuff including milk! Not sure its actually very healthy, or tasty come to think of it, but then its a captive audience so to speak!
Oh the joys of tinned potatoes , haute cuisine par excellence !😉
Oh indeed! Personally never understood why anyone still had fried eggs in week 10 or so!!! I stopped having them after about 10 days, mind you pushed it out to a max of week 4 if cheesy hammy eggy was on the menu. Think I had a stronger digestive system when younger, got more sense now, hopefully…..
Went in looking super advanced, came out looking like it was built in North Korea
Really grotty looking… that must have sat very deep and very still for quite a while.
This is just one more example of the totally disastrous mis-management of the CASD programme by the MoD, and the inability of DML and BAE to get their acts together. The MoD has run the Navy into the weeds. The RN is now nothing more than a Coast Guard… and they’d be lucky to pull that off. When I left the RN in 1993, we had at least 17 nuclear attack boats, 4 missile boats and several diesel boats. And a load of surface ships. What we have now is nothing, and a disgrace to politicians of all colours. Shame… Read more »
Here ,here this country is a mess, in naval ships, think we could do with loads more ships, for a better , fleet come on King Charles, pull your finger , matey boy ?