Crew on a Royal Navy nuclear submarine were reportedly told to share their food after it ran low on supplies during a six-month patrol.
Medics are said to have feared “a serious loss of life” from fatigue and mistakes caused by concentration lapses, prompting crew to conserve energy by limiting movement, the Sun reported.
The Vanguard-class vessel, which patrolled for more than six months because of a shortage of working submarines, closed its honesty shop over fears of hoarding, according to the newspaper.
Navy chiefs also reportedly asked the crew to hand in their supplies of sweets and chocolate, while off-duty sailors were encouraged to sleep to conserve calories.
A Royal Navy spokesman denied the submarine ran low on food and added: Every submariner receives a nutritionally balanced diet at all times.”
The submarine, not named for security reasons, was meant to resupply at sea, but these plans reportedly did not materialise for unknown reasons.
A source told The Sun: “It was miserable. If you weren’t on watch your movements were limited to conserve energy and encouraged to sleep to burn less calories.”
They added: “Medical staff raised concerns about a serious loss of life due to fatigue and people either not concentrating or falling asleep on critical duties.”
‘Horrific is the only word’
Medics reportedly handed out caffeine tablets to stave off tiredness.
A former submarine captain, who was briefed on conditions aboard the vessel, said: “Horrific is the only word.”
Britain has a fleet of four Vanguard-class submarines, which form part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent force. One of the submarines is always on patrol, with its time at sea only constrained by food supplies.
The Royal Navy website states: “The nuclear reactors that power the Astute class never need to be refuelled during their 25-year service period, while the ability to purify water and air means their range is only limited by the amount of food on board.”
While it was initially intended that submarines patrol for no more than 80 days, this advised limit has been extended to cope with a shortage of available vessels.
The location of the Royal Navy’s submarines is top secret, with the crew only allowed to receive one 40-word message each week that is censored for bad news.
The Royal Navy emphasised that robust practices and procedures are always in place to ensure the safety of its crew on operations.
It comes as Robert Jenrick told The Telegraph that all Nato countries should spend 3 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.