Captain Ryan Ramsey, a British submarine captain, discusses the intense moments of evading torpedoes and the challenges faced while operating underwater. They delve into anti-submarine warfare strategies, leadership styles, and the elite Perisher course for training top submarine captains. The conversation also explores real-world operational challenges in anti-submarine warfare, including interactions with Russian submarines and the impact of unmanned underwater vessels on naval operations.
Submarine crews must execute full evasion maneuvers instantly when threatened with torpedoes.
Naval officers decide between submarine specialization for unique challenges or surface fleet roles for career diversity.
Deep dives
The Demands of Operating in the Deep Sea
Operating in the deep sea poses immense challenges due to the complex underwater environment affected by factors like salinity, temperature, and unpredictable weather conditions. This complexity makes it difficult to operate effectively, especially considering the less explored nature of the deep sea compared to space. Understanding the harsh and relentless nature of the sea is crucial, with a continuous presence at sea leading to relentless demands on equipment, operational readiness, and the survival of personnel.
Diverse Naval Specializations and Career Paths
Naval officers have diverse paths to specialization, with experiences ranging from commanding frigates to serving on submarines. While some officers are drawn to the mystique of submarine operations due to the unique challenges and capabilities involved, others find fulfillment in surface fleet roles, which offer a varied career progression across different naval vessels. The decision to specialize in submarines or surface warfare often stems from early exposure and personal preferences in naval operations.
Challenges and Intense Environments for Submarine Crews
Living and operating in a submarine present harsh and demanding conditions for crew members. The confined space, rigorous shift schedules, limited communication with the outside world, and constant vigilance required in the underwater environment create a tense and adrenaline-fueled atmosphere onboard. Submarine crews navigate operational challenges, such as maintaining stealth and readiness, while managing interpersonal dynamics, conflicts, and the psychological impact of extended periods beneath the ocean's surface.
Anti-Submarine Warfare Strategies and Complexity
Anti-submarine warfare strategies involve a complex interplay of tactics, technologies, and operational insights to track and engage submarines effectively. The emphasis lies on intelligence gathering, tracking submarine movements, and deploying a network of assets ranging from satellites to patrol aircraft and frigates. Naval capabilities rely on maintaining the tactical advantage through coordinated efforts, including understanding the adversary's psychology, technological advancements in sonar systems, and honing operational readiness to adapt to evolving undersea threats.
A Navy frigate commander and a British submarine captain on playing cat and mouse in a ‘little bubble of GCHQ’
"When a torpedo starts coming straight at you, there’s only one thing a submarine crew can do – snap into “full evasion” mode. Captain Ryan Ramsey issues swift orders. His crew responds immediately, twisting the Royal Navy’s Trafalgar-class submarine to manoeuvre the boat beneath the waves in an effort to shake off the weapon bearing down fast on their position."
In this exclusive conversation between The Telegraph's Associate Editor Dom Nicholl's and Captain Ryan Ramsey (retired) and Captain Tom Sharpe (retired) listen to how top naval commanders think about their work at sea, the issues, problems and rewards.