A Royal Navy nuclear submarine, HMS Vengeance, has completed one of its longest missions, spending 201 days submerged in the North Sea, showcasing the crew’s endurance amidst challenges such as limited diet and isolation.
The HMS Vengeance, a Royal Navy nuclear submarine based at Faslane, returned from a significant mission after spending 201 days submerged in the North Sea. This journey, which began in August, marks one of the Royal Navy’s longest submarine missions, with the crew tasked primarily with being ready to launch Trident missiles if necessary. The 132-member crew faced numerous challenges during their time underwater, including a limited diet of defrosted oranges and dried egg powder, disrupted sleep patterns, and vitamin deficiencies due to the lack of fresh food and sunlight.
Ballistic missile submarines like HMS Vengeance are designed to remain concealed on the seabed without surfacing, which meant the crew was unable to contact the external world, including their families, for the duration of the mission. The absence of communication with loved ones has been highlighted by previous sailors as a significant emotional and mental challenge, contributing to the psychological strain experienced during such extended periods of isolation.
As the crew navigates reintegration into life above water, the endurance and resilience they demonstrated under physically and mentally demanding conditions have been acknowledged. Their mission underscored the intense realities of submarine service, particularly the health issues and emotional difficulties faced while being cut off from the world for nearly seven months.