What is this building in portsmouth harbour?

[Adetheheat]

Its an ugly building but what is it for? I'm talking about the tall building on the left

 

[capnsensible]

That's the old Submarine Escape Training Tank at the ex HMS Dolphin.

Been there, done that.

 

[Martin_J]

And some history here..

End of era for Gosport’s iconic submarine escape tower

 

[Gadget257]

Sadly its been emptied and no longer in use I beleive

 

[V1701]

That's the old Submarine Escape Training Tank at the ex HMS Dolphin.

Been there, done that.

Now we know why you have your avatar...

 

[Never Grumble]

Part of the historical skyline in that part of the world. Not ugly at all.

 

[LittleSister]

Part of the historical skyline in that part of the world. Not ugly at all.

Are you talking about the building or capnsensible here?

 

[Rappey]

Been there, done that.

What was it like? How long did it take to get to the top ?

 

[capnsensible]

What was it like? How long did it take to get to the top ?

Used to do two ascents from the 30 ft chamber, swim trunks and lifejacket. Same for one 60 foot ascent. it's over quickly and the water is warm.

Next day, training and 100ft ascent in full kit. Still quick.

I qualified in training, great coz then you got Special Service Pay Submarines. Went back around every 4 years or so to requalify. Not used anymore though, not strictly necessary but has taken away a bit of a joined an elite feeling.

 

[capnsensible]

 

[Rappey]

200ft, 60m, dubai

 

[Scubadoo]

Used to do two ascents from the 30 ft chamber, swim trunks and lifejacket. Same for one 60 foot ascent. it's over quickly and the water is warm.

Next day, training and 100ft ascent in full kit. Still quick.

I qualified in training, great coz then you got Special Service Pay Submarines. Went back around every 4 years or so to requalify. Not used anymore though, not strictly necessary but has taken away a bit of a joined an elite feeling.

Interesting, out of curiosity, why is it not used anymore?

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Interesting, out of curiosity, why is it not used anymore?

Because there is no longer a naval establishment there and I believe that the whole site is up for sale, or soon to be so, and redevelopment.

 

[Martin_J]

Interesting, out of curiosity, why is it not used anymore?

See my link in post #3 referring to a move up north...

 

[capnsensible]

See my link in post #3 referring to a move up north...

Yeah, the few remaining boats in the submarine flotilla are all based in Faslane now so for cost and time effectiveness, all safety training is carried out at the Clyde Submarine Base.

 

[Alicatt]

Yeah, the few remaining boats in the submarine flotilla are all based in Faslane now so for cost and time effectiveness, all safety training is carried out at the Clyde Submarine Base.

I can remember working at Devon Port when it was proposed to move all the boats there and close Faslane.

 

[ean_p]

200ft, 60m, dubai

I wonder how many dead they'll pull out of there a year...?

 

[john_morris_uk]

That's the old Submarine Escape Training Tank at the ex HMS Dolphin.

Been there, done that.

I too went through the SETT. Sadly I didn’t get submarine pay for the years I served looking after SM2

 

[Scubadoo]

See my link in post #3 referring to a move up north...

Thank you, missed the link.

 

[lustyd]

Now we know why you have your avatar...

While correct here, the tower was open to the public occasionally for diving so you can’t assume. I’m not a submariner but I have dived the SETT and it was fabulous. With divers down it was like a bubbling hot tub