AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 7 – Panorama CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 265 of 332 Due to tightly packed equipment and paucity of space, there is a perennial danger of fire hazard as also danger of flooding as the outside pressure increases by 1 Bar for every 10 m of submarine depth. In order to keep the men always alert and trained to fight fires and flooding, training drills are frequently conducted. There is hardly enough living space on a submarine as living quarters. Firstly, there are only two thirds the number of bunks as the crew. Hence, the crew coming off duty from a shift occupies the recently vacated bunk by the others who have just gone on duty. This is called 'Hot Bunking' system as the bunk is still warm when one occupies it. There are only two toilets for about 70 men. This puts tremendous strain on the men as regular timings for ablutions cannot be maintained. Recreation is limited to only internal board games, cards, magazines, video movies. The same spaces used for living are also used for eating, as well as, for recreation. Even the Officers Mess Room called the 'Wardroom' is used in its many avatars. Apart from serving as the dining room, it also converts into a sleeping room and when required into an operation theatre. The kitchen or the Galley is the most important place in a submarine. Being so small, just a couple of chefs have to cook a meal for about 70 thrice a day. Food is cooked on hot plates, there is no frying permitted onboard as this would emanate fumes and cause coughing throughout the submarine, also adversely affecting the electronics. Fresh vegetables are carried onboard which last for only a few days, then dry rations, tinned rations, ready to eat meals and tetra packed food and milk are used. The utensils in the Galley are kept in slots so that they do not slide off when the sea is rough. No chapaties are permitted to be made as besides taking too much effort it would emanate fumes which is not good in the confined spaces. The chefs are the most jovial of the lot always making new dishes, baking cakes for celebrating special days like birthdays, anniversaries of the crew members. There is absolutely no alcohol allowed to be consumed onboard. Smoking is not permitted.