SUBMARINE Commander Darren Mason have given us an insight into life aboard HMS Vengeance on patrol in 2019.

He said: "The term 'Silent Service' cultivates numerous images of life beneath the waves, but perhaps it is best to think of a submarine as an un-located village beneath the surface. A village 'at one' with her environment.

"Listening to whale song through the submarine's hull can drive a grown man to tears while the chatter of shrimps 'giving it something large' on the world beating sonar far below us on the seabed is a truly remarkable treat - one only afforded to a niche and highly-professional body of men and women.

"This is what makes the Submarine Service what it is. Her people.

"While the machine in which I live and call my home is a remarkable piece of machinery - arguably an engineering masterpiece: it is the team who makes it work.

"Challenges associated with the Continuous At Sea Deterrent demands their initiative, their skills and the implementation of innovative solutions to make effective and long-term repairs for extended periods of time. Support and advice to the on patrol submarine is simply not available.

"My role as a submariner is more than simply team work; it is about having absolute trust and confidence in every member of the 167 members of my extended family, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: remaining on patrol until our relief takes her turn on the front line.

"It is therefore the team on board and their loved ones ashore who make the submariner.

"I am undoubtedly fortunate to serve my country with the best caterers, the best logisticians, the best engineers and the best warfare specialists.

"To me, the Submarine Service is much more than a cliché or strapline, it is her people; their determination to success and the professionalism which delivers an absolute capability. A capability which has continued to function unabated, for the last 50 years."