Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive
In this artist's rendering, the Confederate submersible H. L. Hunley deploys a torpedo against the side of the Union sloop USS Housatonic on 17 February 1864, which killed everyone on board the former. When parsing through this and more recent submarine fatalities, the origins of contemporary Navy safety programs are evident.
U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

The Pillars of Submarine Safety

The U.S. Submarine Force actively applies the knowledge gained from historic incidents such as the loss of the H. L. Hunley and the USS Thresher to inform its approach toward safety.
By Rear Admiral Michael Jabaley, U.S. Navy
June 2014
Proceedings
Article
View Issue
Comments

On 11 April 2014, the U.S. Submarine Force marked its 114th birthday, celebrating its rich history of tradition and success. But just one day earlier, it observed a more somber milestone: the 51st commemoration of its worst non-combat loss, the sinking of the USS Thresher (SSN-593). Reflecting on this tragedy reminds us of a formative truth: The U.S. Submarine Force operates incredibly complex machines in hazardous and unforgiving environments for extended periods of time, and the U.S. Navy’s all-volunteer submariners put themselves in harm’s way every time they take their boats to sea.

To ensure the safety of our sailors, the Submarine Force offers a premier safety effort based on three programs: the Quality Assurance Submarine Safety program (SUBSAFE), the Deep Submergence Systems Scope of Certification (DSS-SOC) program, and the Fly-By-Wire Ship Control System program. Although all of them came into being within the past 50 years, the disasters they seek to prevent have been present since the earliest days of operations beneath the surface.

Premium Member-Only Content

Don't miss out. Become a member of the Naval Institute today.

Join Today

Already a member? Sign in to continue reading.

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2022 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies