HMS Ambush: Pictures as crew joined by family members on special visit

The crew of the Astute-class submarine HMS Ambush welcomed more than 120 family members on board the vessel and showed them around the naval base.

The visit allowed Ambush's crew to show their loved ones ‘a day in the life’ - and is the first time in years that family members have been allowed on board.

Family members were shown the equipment on board (Image: Royal Navy)

Chris Bate, commanding officer of HMS Ambush, said: “HMS Ambush is one of the most sophisticated and advanced submarines in the world - however it cannot operate without a team of highly skilled personnel.

“Hosting our families on board provides a unique opportunity for the crew to illustrate to loved ones life on board a submarine, giving them a better understanding of the professionalism required and why, we as submariners feel such a sense of pride.

“It is also a chance to say thank you to our families, whose support is vital in maintaining the morale of personnel onboard.”

Families enjoyed seeing inside the submarine (Image: Royal Navy)

Family members got to see where the crew eat, sleep and live while they are deployed, look at the complex equipment on board, and even had the chance to try on a submarine escape suit.

The crew were happy to be able to give their families better insight into life on the vessel and thank their loved ones for their encouragement.

Families appreciated the special time together (Image: Royal Navy)

Chief Petty Officer Gregory said: “This is a great opportunity to show my family where we work, giving an insight into what we do and a small way of saying thank you for the support they provide to us whilst we are deployed.”

Astute class vessels can travel on lengthy trips around the globe for patrols, meaning crew members can be away from their families for months.

The crew showed their families the details of the vessel (Image: Royal Navy)

Submariners  from HMS Audacious crew - another Faslane-based member of the 'Astute' submarine class - recently returned home from a historic 363-day patrol in the Mediterranean.

Read more: Submarine crew's joyful reunion on Faslane return

The day was one to remember for the crew and their loved ones (Image: Royal Navy)

HMS Ambush was launched from BAE Systems' yard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, on January 5, 2011 and arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde in September 2012.

She was officially commissioned in March 2013.