There was much excitement, tears of joy and laughter recently, when families gathered to welcome home their loved ones onboard Royal Navy Vanguard-Class submarine, HMS Vengeance, as she returned home from patrol over Christmas.
The Vanguard class vessel and her 140-strong crew were re-united with family, friends and loved-ones at her home port of HM Naval Base Clyde.
For the last couple of years families have not been able to come together to welcome their loved ones home due to covid restrictions. However now, with the rules relaxed, mums, dads, brothers, sisters, partners, and children headed to Rhu to catch a glimpse of one of the giant ballistic submarines glide past.
The families, who had travelled from all over the UK, enjoyed rolls on sausage and bacon to keep them warm as they waited and gift bags were handed out to the children to keep them amused.
After waving banners and cheering as the submarine passed by, the welcoming party of over 200 people, headed up to the Naval Base to be reunited with their loved ones. They were hosted in the Warrant Officers and Senior Rates Mess, where some refreshments and entertainment were laid on for everyone while they waited.
Commodore Jim Perks CBE, Commodore Submarine Service said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the families onto the Naval Base to welcome home HMS Vengeance after what has been a challenging period at sea, including being away from home over the festive period.
“We continue to ask a lot of our people and they consistently rise to those challenges. Having the families back on base for the first time since the start of Covid restrictions definitely makes the homecoming more special.”
The homecoming event was organised by Royal Navy Family and People Support, Submarine Support Crew and HMNB Clyde staff to provide an opportunity for families to have fun and connect with one another. Volunteers were on hand to answer any questions and provide support, especially to those who were experiencing this for the first time.
HMS Vengeance is one of four Vanguard class submarines which, between them, maintain the country’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent.
Since 1969, at least one Royal Navy ballistic submarine has been on patrol, a constant deterrent against the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life.
