Submarines rank among the most enigmatic creations of modern engineering—built to slip beneath the ocean’s surface and vanish from sight for extended stretches of time. For the select crews who call them home, daily existence unfolds within a confined, pressurized environment cut off from the outside world.
Here, we’ll step past the heavy steel doors and explore the realities of life below the waves. From narrow sleeping quarters and relentless 18-hour duty cycles to the unspoken camaraderie forged in silence and seclusion, you’ll gain a glimpse into what it means to serve under the sea—where order, resilience, and mutual trust remain the cornerstones of survival in an existence unlike any other.
Overview of how submarines have developed over the years
Nuclear-powered submarines integrate nuclear storehouses, launch platforms and weaponry to present an elusive and formidable package. Before the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the US Navy’s 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines were armed with 24 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each carrying multiple warheads. As per the treaty, each is now limited to a maximum of 20.
Typically, submarines embark on 77-day sea patrols, equipped with a 90-day food supply, before returning to port for just over a month. The Navy’s ballistic missile submarines operate with two alternating crews – Blue and Gold – maximizing their operational efficiency and minimizing the number of vessels deployed.
The inaugural combat submarine, designed during the American Revolution, was the Turtle. This roughly eight-foot spherical vessel held a single individual and was manually powered. Shortly after her development, Turtle executed the world’s first submarine attack by stealthily navigating underwater, penetrating the HMS Eagle (1774) and installing explosives in her hull.
In contemporary times, submarines like the Ohio-class boast an impressive length of 560 feet and a weight exceeding 18,750 tons when submerged. The Navy’s submarine fleet comprises 53 fast-attack submarines, 14 ballistic missile submarines (holding more than half of the American nuclear arsenal) and four guided-missile submarines.
Personnel stationed on these submarines undergo rigorous training, including exercises like Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2022, preparing them to navigate complex and potentially perilous environments. Such training is crucial given the uncertainties associated with serving beneath the ocean’s surface.
What is downtime like inside a submarine?
Life on a submarine comes with its challenges. Like sailors on surface ships, submariners must adapt to tight living quarters, limited space to move around, and a restricted variety of food. However, unlike surface ships, submarines have no natural light, and even the gym equipment is specially designed to operate quietly to avoid detection by other vessels.
Despite these hardships, submarine crews develop deep bonds that often last a lifetime. Spending months together in such confined spaces naturally fosters strong teamwork and camaraderie—both of which are essential for successfully completing their missions.
There are also aspects of submarine life that many people may not realize. One major difference from life on a surface ship is the strict schedule that keeps operations running smoothly. Submariners follow a structured routine, rotating through three six-hour shifts: six hours on duty, six hours of personal time, and six hours for sleep.
Dealing with deadly weapons onboard the vessel
Taking care of weapons is one of the most important responsibilities for submariners. Although submarines often focus on patrol and surveillance, their missile systems are a vital part of military operations. To stay prepared, the crew must regularly check and maintain their weapons and other equipment so everything is ready to go at a moment’s notice.
The U.S. Navy plans to expand its fleet by adding up to three Virginia-class fast-attack submarines each year through 2043. Still, some experts—like former Submarine Forces Commander Vice Adm. Michael Connor—say that won’t be enough. He believes the Navy needs 66 more submarines to meet the rising need for strong underwater military power.
Looking ahead, the Navy is also working on replacing its aging Ohio-class submarines with the new Columbia-class. The first of these advanced submarines is expected to join the fleet by 2031.
Submarines play a critical role in deep-sea rescue
Submarines serve purposes far beyond silent combat—they’re also vital instruments for survival and discovery in the deep. These remarkable vessels allow us to venture into uncharted parts of the ocean while also providing critical rescue capabilities when emergencies strike below the surface.
In situations where a submarine is disabled, Deep-Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) become the difference between life and death. Compact but powerful, these mini-subs—like those fielded by the U.S. Navy—are capable of plunging more than a kilometer down to reach stranded crews and bring them back to safety. Often launched from larger host submarines, known as MOSUBs, they are designed to operate under crushing pressure and unforgiving time limits.
The U.S. isn’t alone in recognizing their importance. Nations such as Britain and France have integrated similar systems into their naval forces, ensuring that if disaster unfolds anywhere in the world’s oceans, help is never too far away.
Life inside a submarine means dealing with navigational challenges
Despite seeming complex, steering a submarine is relatively simple—even though the person at the helm can’t actually see where they’re going. Instead of vision, submarines depend on sonar to identify nearby objects and hazards in the water. They’re also equipped with an inertial navigation system (INS), which tracks the sub’s position by measuring its motion over time.
Because GPS and radio waves don’t penetrate water, the INS plays a crucial role in navigation while helping the submarine remain undetectable to adversaries. This high-tech system uses gyroscopes and accelerometers to determine speed and direction.
One of the most iconic pieces of submarine equipment is the periscope. This tall, narrow instrument allows the crew to observe the surface while staying hidden beneath the waves. Some models can extend as high as 60 feet!
Has much has changed over the years?
When comparing older submarines to their modern counterparts, it’s striking how similar they are, especially when looking at those used during World War I and II. Though these early subs were slower and couldn’t stay submerged for as long as today’s vessels, they still played a crucial role in reconnaissance and providing support at sea.
The most significant leap in submarine technology came after the war with the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines in 1954. Unlike their diesel-powered predecessors, these nuclear submarines marked the dawn of a new era. Their ability to remain submerged indefinitely, thanks to nuclear power, made them the first true submarines in terms of endurance and operational capabilities.