Traditions

The Submarine Service has many traditions that are not found in the surface fleet. These include slang unique to submariners (such as referring to the torpedo storage compartment as the Bomb Shop and the diesel engine room as the Donk Shop, a special communications code known as the Dolphin Code and the entitlement of a sailor to wear Dolphins upon entering the service. (Which were only awarded after completion of training and qualification in ships systems – on board first submarine posting (Part III training)

Future submarines, Future of the Royal Navy

A total force of seven Astute class fleet submarines is planned. As of June 2014, the first two boats are in commission and in service, the third is launched and due to be commissioned by the end of 2015, while boats four to six are in various stages of construction. Boat number seven was confirmed in the October 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review and long-lead items have been ordered. The Astute class submarine is the largest nuclear fleet submarine ever to serve with the Royal Navy, nearly 30% larger than its predecessors. Its power plant is the Rolls Royce PWR2 reactor, developed for the Vanguard class SSBN. The submarines armament consists of up to 38 Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk block IV land-attack missiles. A Successor to the UK Trident system is in its early stages, with ‘Main Gate’ decisions to be made in 2016. The programme will seek to replace the current Vanguard class ballistic missile submarines starting sometime during the mid-late 2020’s

Photograph features HMS Ambush © Royal Navy Award Winner CPOA(Phot) Thomas McDonald