A Bit Of A Dive But We Like It

May 4 2008

Submariners Reveal Secrets Of Life Under Ocean Waves

WEAPONS EXPERT

ADAM RILEY

PETTY officer Adam is responsible for maintaining the Vigilant's Trident II missiles and ensuring they are always ready to fire.

The 29-year-old, of Plymouth, followed in his dad's footsteps by joining the Navy but, rather than work on the surface, he wanted to serve on submarines.

The job: I am a launcher supervisor and work with the strategic weapons system. I safeguard the missile, the tube and the systems that support it when it is launched.

The weapons engineering officer has his finger on the button. I just make sure they are ready to go.

How I did it: I joined the Navy 11 years ago. My dad was in the Navy and served 22 years as a regulator for the military police on ships and shore side. I was brought up around the Navy in Gibraltar and Plymouth.

I signed up for the camaraderie and ethos. I joined as an engineering artificer but it didn't work out so I became a submariner weapons engineer.

My first submarine was HMS Vigilant as an MC patrol in 1999. I went back and did an engineering course and now I am back again almost 10 years later as senior rating.

I love the lifestyle and my extra responsibility. As long as the missiles are within their set parameters, it is a chilled job. It is a very safe system. We monitor for radiation all the time. We have emergency procedures drilled into us repeatedly. You don't want to be on the receiving end if someone pulls the trigger.

Five-year plan: I will join Victorious to do trials in the States when Vigilant goes into refit. It will be very intensive, working 12 hours on and 12 off in 100-degree heat in Georgia, but I am looking forward to it.

Perks: I work with great people and enjoy the technical side of the job.

Tips: The submarine service is a different breed to the Navy and there is something for everyone.

It can be difficult for families but the Navy give you tremendous support.

If you want a challenging role, there is no better place.

SONAR OPERATOR

JAMES CRONIN

SONAR operators have to distinguish between thousands of different noises from enemy vessels to ice floes and dolphins.

James, 28, of Glasgow, says the crew get a good laugh from movie portrayals of life on submarines such as The Hunt For Red October.

The job: Sonar operators are the eyes and ears of the submarine. Each team is led by a petty officer, two leading seamen and four able seamen.

How I did it: A friend in the Navy recommended I tried it so I joined up. I did eight weeks basic training before going on my first submarine which was an amazing experience.

I wanted to get into the warfare side of things so I had to get more training.

When we are out on patrol we don't know where we are but we can have an educated guess based on the water temperature and whether or not we hear ice floes.

The sonar can pick up anything from shrimps to warships. Dolphins are really annoying because they squeak and whistle so much.

We can be at sea for 12 weeks and leaving the girlfriend is tough but you just get on with it.

Perks: It is a more laid-back atmosphere than on the surface fleet and we are a tightlyknit team.

Five-year plan: I pick up my rating in November. I would like to be a petty officer in five to seven years.

Tips: Anybody can do it as long as you have the determination.

KURSK MISSION CHIEF

PIERS BARKER

IN 2000, Commander Barker spearheaded the British operation to help the stricken Russian submarine Kursk when it sank in the Barents Sea.

The 44-year-old promptly found himself at the centre of an international incident in which all 118 of the Kursk's crew died.

Their bodies were recovered and buried in St Petersburg. The Kursk was raised in a five-month operation and later dismantled.

The job: I was at HQ in Northwood looking after the sub rescue service.

How I did it: When the Kursk went down, we went hell for leather but the Russians didn't want us there. We had a very tense meeting with them thinking there were 30 people still alive on board but they didn't want anyone rescued.

When they finally let us get on with it, I piloted an unmanned sub down there with a Russian military intelligence guy watching my every move. We put the rescue vehicle in the water 12 miles from the site.

The next thing, they changed their minds again and there was a warship's 255mm guns trained on us saying: "Don't you put your rescue vehicle near our sub."

At that point we had to give up. The experience made me very angry but I wouldn't have missed it. I am now in charge of recruitment for the submarine service.

Perks: I have had a very fulfilling career in the submarine service.

Five-year plan: It's about getting people through the door and motivating them.

Tips: We want tactical systems submariners, sonar operators, chefs, stewards and weapons engineering ratings.