UK: HMS Vigilant Finishes First Patrol in Five Years after Massive Revamp

Five years of toil and training reached their apotheosis for HMS Vigilant as she completed her first mission since a massive overhaul. The nuclear submarine has returned to base on the Clyde following a three-month deterrent patrol – her first since a £333m revamp.

With the waters of the Clyde parting over her bow, the Navy’s most powerful warship returns to base after completing the nation’s ultimate mission.

HMS Vigilant has finished her first nuclear deterrent patrol, the pinnacle of a five-year and £333m programme to overhaul the submarine ready for operations into the mid-2020s.

For three months, the 16,000-tonne leviathan – one of four Vanguard-class boats charged with upholding the UK’s nuclear deterrent, Operation Relentless – lurked someone beneath the surface of the Seven Seas before emerging in the Clyde to be escorted back to Faslane.

Throughout the 14-week patrol, the boat remained submerged, with the crew’s only contact with home a weekly 120-word ‘family gram’ – to which they are unable to reply.

The submarine rejoined her two older sisters Vanguard and Victorious in the deterrent cycle earlier this year (boat No.4 Vengeance is in refit) after completing a £333m upgrade of her systems and the refuelling of her nuclear reactor.

In all some 2.3 million man hours (more than 37½ years) were spent revamping Vigilant before she sailed from Devonport to begin her regeneration – regeneration which culminated in the test firing of a dummy Trident II D5 missile off the Eastern Seaboard of the USA.

As well as living up to their motto – Vigilant and Resolute – during the patrol, the 130 crew aboard found they had time and money to donate more than £3,000 to charity.The submariners staged various events – an iron man competition, horse racing, even a golf tournament.

The cash raised is being distributed among Cancer Research UK, Dunfermline Youth Rugby Football Club, worthy causes on the Isle of Man (Vigilant’s affiliate) and the Sandpiper Trust, which supports life-saving care in rural Scotland.

“Whilst a noble sacrifice is made by all submariners whilst on patrol, the fundraising events not only provided some relief whilst away, but have helped us to support the community we serve,” said Lt Dean Ingram, Vigilant’s operations Officer.

His Commanding Officer Cdr John Livesey added:

“On patrol it is important to maintain morale while staying fully focused on the task in hand.

“I am delighted with the admirable generosity of my crew and the valuable charity work we are supporting.”

He was one of two members of the crew to earn their gold ‘bomber pins’ during the deployment, having completed their 20th deterrent patrol – equating to more than five years under the water.

And Vigilant herself celebrated her own milestone during the first patrol of her new commission: her 18th birthday (October 14). It was celebrated with a gigantic V-boat shaped chocolate cake.

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Press Release, November 14, 2013; Image: Royal Navy