Submarines

While at sea, have you ever spotted a military submarine?

Nope....if we spotted them, they wouldn't be doing their job very well!!!

Trojan 000 posted this pic in the "what have you seen off your balcony" thread.

Here is the link to the thread-

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2217166&highlight=submarine

When we left St Petersburg in 2010 on the Eclipse, we had dinner in the Tuscan Grille and could clearly see we were being followed by a Russian sub through the back windows.

Simon

Submarines are required to sail unsubmerged in certain waters typically near ports. I think they then submerge when they reach a specific place at sea. I have seen one near Faslane when we were going to Ireland. I think it was the one we sold to the Australians but it broke down.

Regards John

I saw one in the Caribbean Sea on a Disney cruise about 2 years ago. I could see a well defined periscope and confirmed it in my camera lens

Saw one in July just off the coast as we left PC on Enchantment - very cool sight. We've also seen them docked in FLL.

Also saw one on the coast of PC. Am told it is not unusual.

M

My first cruise Nov 2002. Panama Canal. There were two subs one following us and one ahead of us. I took pics but sadly lost them in a house fire in Sept 2003.

There is a Navy facility on Cape Canaveral (tenant command of the Air Force station) called Naval Ordinance Test Unit or NOTU. It is where certain submarine weapons systems are tested, calibrated and training occurs.

The command directly supports the mission capability and readiness of the United States Navy's Trident Submarines as well as the Fleet Ballistic Missile program of the United Kingdom. NOTU operates the Navy Port at Port Canaveral, supporting submarines and surface ships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and foreign navies and assets of the Military Sealift Command.

http://www.patrick.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8491

For this reason it is not unusual to see submarines entering or leaving Port Canaveral. Note 'Trident Basin' on this port map

cruisers in/out of Seattle also have a good chance of sighting a sub on the surface in Straight of Juan de Fuca due to the presence of the sub base in Bangor. Other US sub bases tend to be away from cruise ship ports but Long Island ferry riders in New London CT would routinely see subs. Groton CT sub base is there . . . as well as Electric Boat a sub builder.

While on patrol in 1978 we were having a swim call and suddenly a sub surfaced a few hundred yards away and they joined us in a swim! I've got pictures, I'll see if I can find them.

Thanks, CaptBJ, That is good to know, I'll be sailing out of Canaveral in 2 weeks, so, I'm gonna go submarine hunting off my balcony! :D

Seen quite a few submarines over the years, including some whilst cruising.

Hi All,

Sailing from st Petersburg there is a Submarine base and you can see them whist sailing by.

Pete

While at sea, have you ever spotted a military submarine?

boats do not travel the same waterways that cruise ships do. so unless you are entering or leaving a port you won't.

furthermore rarely are they on the surface when in the open sea unless doing an UNREP.

Thanks, CaptBJ, That is good to know, I'll be sailing out of Canaveral in 2 weeks, so, I'm gonna go submarine hunting off my balcony! :D

The sub basin is on the port side of the boat as you leave PC. I seen subs there numerous times.

Yes, sailing in the Baltic during the Syria crisis. A German sub was alongside us for 30 mins. Followed by 2 bombers circling overhead later on that day. Crapped my pants!

my first cruise nov 2002. Panama canal. There were two subs one following us and one ahead of us. I took pics but sadly lost them in a house fire in sept 2003.

The sub basin is on the port side of the boat as you leave PC. I seen subs there numerous times.

Thanks, I'll be looking!

When a sub is sailing surfaced, we used to say we have spotted another (water) "skier"....

From a distance, that is what it looks like...you have a large wake followed by a smaller wake....

While at sea, have you ever spotted a military submarine?

Yes, one accompanied us through the Panama Canal on our very first cruise:

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Long ago, we cruised a Southern Caribbean itinerary Several days after Operation Urgent Fury. As we were approaching Barbados, a USN attack sub surfaced just astern and followed us in. Their deployment was extended due to the Operation.

When we returned to the ship that afternoon, the sub was hosting visitors from the ship, so we took a tour. According to the duty officer our guides had the duty because they were working off Captain's Mast punishment. Apparently it was considered a "good" punishment . . . worth putting up with the "old guys" touring to check out the women using the ladder in the sail.

Not on a cruise ship (but, rather, on my own sloop), we were once headed through the Carquinez Strait on our way back from the California Delta to San Francisco Bay.

In the distance I noticed an unfamiliar black mid-channel marker (which also wasn't on my NOAA chart or listed in the most recent USCG local notice to mariners).

Quick look through the binoculars also found that this unusual sight of a "buoy" also had a wake(!).

Oops - nuclear sub on its way to Mare Island.

Not at sea but in port we have seen submarines.

Keith

Submarine tour at Pearl Harbor and San Fran Fisherman Wharf adjacent to cruise ship pier.

Submarine tour at Pearl Harbor and San Fran Fisherman Wharf adjacent to cruise ship pier.

A Russian sub is on display at the Queen Mary in Long Beach next to the Carnival Dome.