Sheryll Murray MP welcomes the news that women will serve on submarines. Sheryll, who had already spent a day at sea aboard the now decommissioned submarine HMS Sceptre along with her then husband Neil and other South West fishermen, says she can understand the concerns raised but is pleased that women can now serve on submarines.
When the Royal Navy contacted Sheryll Murray in the 1990's, extending an invitation for fishermen to join the crew of HMS Sceptre as part of a liaison exercise following the tragedy after the fishing vessel Antares, she seized an opportunity.
The Antares had been towed underwater with the loss of all lives after her fishing nets had become entangled with a Submarine and the Royal Navy decided to engage with the fishing industry to improve an understanding between the two fleets to enable better cooperation. The aim was to avoid another incident of this nature.
Sheryll asked to join the fishermen and after exclusive permission was secured from the submarine's Captain, Sheryll joined the group aboard HMS Sceptre. The group joined the Submarine in Plymouth Sound and Sheryll believes that the unique experience stands her in good stead to understand the implications of the recently announced decision.
Sheryll says of her experience, "I had no idea that submarines actually dive underwater at a steep angle and you really have to hold on whilst the vessel ventures into the depths below the surface. I was also surprised at how unstable Submarines are when they are on the surface because they do not have a keel like traditional surface vessels."
Sheryll was given the opportunity to listen to the ships sonar and saw for herself how experienced operators can detect an engine in the vicinity of the Sub and identify many details with the experienced sonar operator being able to identify the size of the engine and manufacturer. It is also possible to identify the nature the fishing gear being towed.
She continued, "I have witnessed the cramped space aboard and understand how difficult it will be to accommodate separate showers and heads (toilets). However, the United States Navy has had women serving aboard for some time and I am pleased that we are seeing this positive move forward for today's modern Royal Navy".
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Notes to the Editor
Link to the report about the FV Antares/HMS Trenchant tragedy. http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/antares_pub_1992.pdf