Navy Lookout has reported another nearly 7-month CASD patrol, this time by
Vanguard - she was laid down 39 years ago last month and won't be replaced for at least another seven. I can only have sympathy for the crews and concern about the effects on retention and potentially recruitment.
Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarine comes home after 203-day patrol
In what is becoming the new normal, an RN submarine returned to Faslane today after another lengthy patrol lasting more than six months, maintaining the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
This submarine left Faslane in March and has almost matched the record for the longest RN patrol, an extraordinary amount of time for the crew to spend underwater. This boat was relieved in the last few days by another boat that sailed last week after conducting a pre-patrol exercise. If this pattern continues, her crew won’t see their homes again until March 2026.
The length of patrols has been rising sharply over the last few years, at least the last nine deterrent patrols have all exceeded five months in duration. Today’s homecoming is yet another fine achievement by the crew; the sacrifices that they and their families are called on to make are immense.