Chinese sailors have an ironic name for service aboard submarines: “Dragon Palace”. But a new report finds there’s nothing fantastic — or even healthy — about the conditions of China’s large submarine force.
Chinese “submarines have long jokingly referred to their ships as the ‘dragon palace’ in reference to the dragon king’s palace at the bottom of the East Sea in Chinese mythology,” explained a new message by the China Institute of Naval Studies at the US Naval War College.
In Chinese mythology, Ao Guang is the king of all sea dragons, ruling them from his underwater crystal palace. But life on board Submarines of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). is far from palatial, the CMSI report found, offering a rare glimpse into underwater life that is obscured by Chinese military secrecy and the regime’s widespread censorship and intimidation. Crews were found to suffer from excessive noise, poor lighting and poor air quality. The canned food often served is so bland that some sailors develop eating disorders.
“Working aboard PLAN submarines can cost personnel health,” the CMSI report said. For example, various surveys over the past two decades have revealed numerous ailments, including mouth ulcers and back pain. “In 2018, researchers from several PLAN institutes and hospitals conducting surveys at the submarine base found that submariners as a profession are prone to lower back pain due to restrictive work spaces, long hours in fixed or twisted positions, and constant vibration, to which they are exposed. The results showed a 33.81% incidence of low back pain in officers and NCOs.”
Crews suffer the psychological effects of the constant noise and poor air quality they are exposed to. “Crew members who work and live in the poor microclimate of a submarine are prone to boredom, fatigue, lethargy and discomfort, which affects their psychological state, cognitive abilities and emotional well-being,” the report said. “Furthermore, these problems are exacerbated by harmful gases, magnetic fields, noise, vibration and many other obstacles to restful sleep and comfort.”
Noise levels on board the Chinese have been measured as high as 90 to 130 decibels, which even exceeds the limit of 85 to 100 decibels set by the Chinese military. Sub crews also reported vision problems stemming from poor lighting. “The analysis attributes this to poor lighting causing visual strain and proximity causing a problem in the ciliary muscles that regulate changes in the curvature of the eye’s lens,” CMSI said. “Crews requested more compartment lighting and lighting modes that could provide an indication of day or night.”
Meanwhile, medical care during long voyages is lacking due to poorly trained caregivers and unmaintained medical equipment, the report said.
The report found cases where the kitchens on Chinese submarines were so bad that it led to eating disorders. Photo by Artyom Ivanov\TASS via Getty Images
This may be why China’s underpower has recently reversed traditional chinese medicinealready used by other branches of the Chinese military. “Until recently, traditional Chinese medicine was not present aboard PLAN submarines because there were no designated positions for its administration,” CMSI said.
Sailors grumble about food in most navies. Even US Navy SubmarinesThey have their share of this, which are said to have better chow than other ships grousing about food of criminal quality. Providing tasty food for months at a time is a challenge for China’s submarines, whose crews range from about 60 on a diesel-powered attack boat to about 120 on a ballistic missile submarine.
Although some recent photos suggest that it is tempting menuChinese underwater cuisine still seems to be missing. “Because submarines prohibit cooking over open flames, canned food appears to be a staple for many years in long-range deployments,” CMSI said. After “the bad taste of tinned food eventually drove some sailors to anorexia”, more fresh and frozen food was served. But when “fresh food runs out or electricity is conserved, submarine crews reportedly start eating standard field rations, such as the Navy’s KT-07 nutritional supplement rations. To compensate for these conditions, submariners can usually expect a welcome feast. on returning to shore.”
Ultimately, the question is whether these problems undermine effectiveness 61 Chinese submarines. Although most of them are rather conventional with nuclear propulsionthey could be among Beijing’s most effective weapons if China did it invade Taiwan.
“Many of the hallmarks of a professional submarine force culture are present aboard PLAN submarines, particularly in terms of stealth, security and expertise,” CMSI concluded. “Whether it is equipment maintenance procedures or nuclear reactor safety, the force appears to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and a desire to uphold the highest standards across the fleet.”
Chinese submarines they have their own “dragon palace culture”. This includes activities such as arm wrestling and ping-pong competitions, as well as other morale boosters such as ship newsletters and poetry readings.
And what undersea force would be complete without its special rituals (which often dampen land gliders). For example, a ceremony honoring those making their first long-term deployment is held when a submarine reaches its maximum submersible depth, the report said. “The recognized staff will kiss the buttered hammer and drink the sea water drawn from the depths, which is kept in a bottle.”
Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He has a master’s degree in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him Twitter and LinkedIn.