Royal Navy may lift ban on females serving on submarines

[Cosantor]

Royal Navy may lift ban on females serving on submarines
Deborah Haynes, Defence Editor

The Royal Navy may lift a ban on women serving on submarines, the Ministry of Defence said today. A decision will be made later this year.

Last month the United States moved to relax similar rules preventing women from deploying on submarines.

The Sun reported that four groups of five women officers will initially be deployed with Britain’s four Vanguard-class, nuclear submarines, which each have a crew of 135.
A spokesman at the Ministry of Defence, however, described the report as “speculative”.
"The policy on women serving in submarines is under review. This review is expected to be completed later this year,” the spokesman added.

Fears that pregnant women could miscarry because of breathing recycled air have until now prevented female sailors from joining submarine patrols, which typically last three months.

There have also been concerns about sexual tensions if women and men are kept in close quarters for such a prolonged period of time.

Last month, the Pentagon approved a plan that would permit women to work on submarines. Congress has until the last week of March to pass legislation blocking the move. If it does not, the rules prohibiting female crew members from serving in the US submarine fleet will automatically be lifted.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7055141.ece

[Groundhog]

So they'll be allowed to go down like the rest of the sailors? Cool.

[Cosantor]

Navy sex scandal fears as women are set to be allowed to serve in submarines

Plans to axe a long-standing ban on women serving on Royal Navy submarines have prompted fears of sex scandals.

Defence chiefs are seriously considering allowing women sailors to take jobs beneath the waves.

But some Navy bosses are concerned that a small number of females living in close quarters with male sailors will lead to an inevitable breaking of 'no touching' rules.

Under plans due to be implemented later this year, five women officers will be deployed with all four Vanquish-class nuclear submarines. Each vessel carries 135 crew.

'There is concern over what might happen,' a naval source told The Sun. 'If there was a sex scandal it would be impossible for anyone to be taken off until the sub returned from its four-month patrol.

'The Navy will go to great lengths to make sure that the first women are officers with impeccable credentials.'

It emerged last month that the U.S. is axing its policy barring females from serving in submarines.

Robert Gates, the Defence Secretary in Washington, announced that he intended to repeal the rule possibly within weeks.

The Ministry of Defence in London is expected to follow suit - allowing the Navy's 3,700 women sailors from taking jobs beneath the waves.

The review was ordered by the Government following pressure from senior Labour figures eager to introduce full equal opportunities for females in the Armed Forces.

Women have served on board Royal Navy surface ships for about 20 years but they remain outlawed from submarines.

The original refusal was justified on the basis of the cramped living conditions on board and concerns over the dangers posed by fumes inside the submarine to a foetus if a woman is pregnant.

If they discovered they were pregnant after going to sea, the commander could be forced to return home and abandon a secret mission.

The Vanguard-class submarines which carry the UK's Trident nuclear missiles typically put to sea on patrols lasting four months or more without resurfacing, while 'hunter-killer' submarines remain submerged for months gathering intelligence or shadowing suspect ships.

The Royal Navy's new Astute attack submarines could easily be adapted to accommodate females, while the design of the new Trident nuclear subs will also give 'consideration to the possibility of women serving in the future'.

The Australian, Canadian, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian navies already allow women to serve on their submarines.

If the Royal Navy allows the move, only mine-clearance diving units and the Royal Marines would be closed to women in the Armed Forces.

However, an internal review conducted by the MoD two years ago supported the current policy.

The wide-ranging review of the role of women in the military was launched last year. It is also looking at whether women should be permitted to serve in infantry units or in tank crews.

Women have operated on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan - as medics, intelligence officers and with the artillery. The RAF also has female pilots and navigators.

But commanders fear women lack the upper-body strength and physical resilience to withstand intensive combat. Studies have also found that male soldiers' first instinct would be to protect wounded female comrades rather than continue fighting the enemy.

However, last November Royal Navy medic Kate Nesbitt was awarded the Military Cross after saving the life of a wounded marine under enemy fire in Afghanistan.

An MoD spokesman refused to confirm whether women will be allowed to serve in submarines.

He said: 'There is an ongoing review into the roles that female personnel are currently excluded from, which will be completed later this year.

'Women are excluded from serving in submarines as there is a potential medical risk to an unborn foetus from contaminants in the submarine's atmosphere.'

The spokesman played down fears of a submarine sex scandal.

He added: 'Women have been serving on ships for 15 to 20 years, so this would be the same problem, if you want to call it that. We're not concerned really.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...bmarines.html#

[Cosantor]

Interesting that the first thing the Sun newspaper thought about was sex scandles

[Groundhog]

Interesting that the first thing the Sun newspaper thought about of was sex scandles

Sex sells. Scandalous sex sells better.

[apc]

Whats long, hard and full of seamen????????????

[Goldie fish]

No difference between them serving on surface ships, apart from the fact that now men have to tolerate their smell...

[golden rivet]

phermones....dive dive...