HMS Vigilant

Military experience

Mark Lister has been in the deterrent programme since Jul 92 and is looking forward to the challenges of bringing HMS Vigilant out of an extended repair period and generating her back to full operational capability. The highlight of this regeneration will be the Demonstration And Shakedown Operations, culminating in a Trident II D5 Missile Test Firing conducted in the US, the first he will have witnessed during his long association with the SSBN Flotilla

Lister was born in April 1962 and was educated at Carlton-Bolling Comprehensive School, Bradford, West Yorkshire. Joining the Royal Navy in 1978 he qualified as a submariner in HMS Spartan and was involved in Operation CORPORATE. He stood by HMS Turbulent in build and was promoted to Midshipman in April 1984. During his Fleet Time, as a trainee warfare officer, he served in the newly constructed ships HMS Swift and HMS Edinburgh, taking part in the transit of the former from the UK to Hong Kong.

After completing his Officer of the Watch Course Lister returned to the Submarine Service serving in HMS Orpheus as the Torpedo Officer, HMS Valiant as the Communications Officer and HMS Ocelot as the Navigating Officer. During his time in HMS Valiant he was the Old Colour Officer for the presentation of the Submarine Flotilla Queen’s Colour in May 1989. After further specialist warfare training he became the Sonar Officer of HMS Resolution before a pre-command course appointment in HMS Torbay as the Operations Officer.

Successful completion of the Submarine Command Course saw Lister take up appointments in HMS Vanguard and HMS Vigilant as the Executive Officer and within Captain (Submarine) Sea and Shore Training’s organisation as ST11, the Command and Executive sea rider. Returning to the surface world Lister became the Commanding Officer of both HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Quorn, where he was twice awarded the Soberton Trophy, for Endeavour in Fishery Protection. Selected for promotion to Commander during a spell in the MOD, he was promoted in January 04. He assumed Command of HMS Vengeance (Starboard) in July that year and held that position for 3 years, before taking up a second post in London as the deterrent desk officer to the First Sea Lord. Lister joined the Faslane Flotilla as Commander Submarines in September 09 and was delighted to be selected for further sea service in Command in that appointment. He assumed Command of HMS Vigilant in September 11.