On missions lasting three months, submariners in our nuclear-armed fleet have no TV, internet or radio, their only contact with home an occasional 120-word “familygram”.
At sea, nine men must share a living space just eight feet square, their bunks stacked three high.
But on HMS Vigilant, engineering technician David Thomson, 26, from Glasgow, said: “I don’t find it bad on board at all. You get used to it.
“I have been working on here for three and a half years and it has been absolutely fine.
“When you are underwater, it doesn’t make much of a difference – you just get on with your job.”
The Daily Mirror was visiting HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane, in Scotland, to mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the at-sea nuclear weapons deterrent.
Four Vanguard-class submarines – the Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant and Vengeance – were introduced in 1994 as part of the Trident programme.
On missions, the 120 crew eat more than 1,000kgs of bacon, 7,000 sausages, 10,000 eggs, 5,000 chocolate bars, 5,000kgs of potatoes, 50,000 bread rolls and more than 3,000 tins of beans.
It is vital the subs’ locations are kept secret so potential attackers never know where a salvo might come from, and silence is maintained at all times.
Metal clanging is a giveaway, so there is no slamming of hatches, unnecessary hammering of tools, no loud music.
The crew must rely on a daily news sheet to tell them what is going on in the world.
Commodore Bob Anstey, Assistant Chief of Staff Submarines, said: “You can still keep abreast of the news and receive written messages from family.
“People can get good news about the arrival of a new baby, but sometimes the captain has to avoid giving personnel bad news while at sea.”
Technician David admits there are downsides: “It can take a while getting used to not having home comforts – like being able to read the Daily Mirror.”
