Artful, the Royal Navy’s newest submarine, hosted 130 visitors at a family and friends day last weekend.
The opportunity to visit the brand new vessel came while it was alongside at Faslane – it was a rare glimpse into the crew’s lifestyle, operations and life on board.
“It was fantastic to welcome so many of the crew’s family and friends on board Artful,” said Commander Nigel Bower, Commanding Officer of Artful.
“It can often be difficult for those closest to us to imagine what life is like for the serving submariner.
“This day has hopefully provided an insight to what life beneath the waves is like – the challenges and attractions of the job.”
Artful left Barrow-in-Furness on August 13 this year and arrived at her new home on the Clyde just a few days later.
Since then the crew have been putting the submarine through her paces during a period of intense sea trials. It is expected that she will be formally accepted into the Royal Navy early next year.
Artful is the third of the Royal Navy’s new Astute-Class attack submarines. The 7,400 tonne vessel was constructed by BAE Systems in Barrow and is based, along with her sister-submarines, at HM Naval Base Clyde, home of the UK Submarine Service.
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