Planning a Titanic Wreckage Tour? 25+ Facts and Experiences From Life on a Submarine

Are you planning to take the plunge into the icy depths of the past, all from the relative comfort of a high-tech submarine? If so, then this article is your ultimate pre-departure briefing. We’re about to dive into over 25 fascinating facts and captivating experiences that define life aboard a submarine – a realm of tightly packed spaces, stunning undersea vistas, and an altogether different perspective on the world.

From essential tips for your undersea journey to memorable anecdotes from those who’ve made the trip, from the operational intricacies of a submarine to the unforgettable moment of seeing the Titanic’s ghostly silhouette emerge from the darkness – we’ve covered it all.

Long Days

In the American Navy, pre-2014 submariners were expected to work very long hours. Each day, they would wake up and begin an 18-hour shift, with six of those hours allocated to being on watch.

Eventually, some officers spoke up about these extremely long shifts, and the military decided to cut them down to 8 hour watches with 16 hours of downtime. As soon as this shift occurred, the submariners became happier, and work was more efficient.

Teamwork

Life onboard a submarine means living in very close quarters. Everyone knows everything about you, and that includes all of the belongings that you keep in your storage locker. Theft is uncommon, but when it occurs, it is considered to be a very big deal.

Not only are you dropped off at the closest port, but you can sometimes be demoted in rank or even discharged from the team itself. It’s always better, to be honest and keep sticky fingers to yourself.

Living Together

If you’ve ever been aboard a submarine for a tour, then you know just how close the living quarters are. All of the bunks are typically in one location on the submarine unless you are an officer, in which case you may have your own small cabin.

For the regular folk, they are expected to share their bunk with two or three other team mates. Everyone works in different shifts, which means they all sleep at different times.

A Sign Of Honor

Each rank has different medals and insignia associated with it, but there is one symbol of honor that all submariners aspire to attain – the dolphin pin. Dolphins are known for being incredibly intelligent creatures, which is why it is a symbol associated with great intellect.

To attain a cherished dolphin pin, a submariner must learn how to use every part of the submarine. Then, they must pass a lengthy test, and if they pass it with flying colors, they earn their pin.