Presented by Cdr Chris ‘Titch’ Evans – Senior Naval Officer Dreadnought, Royal Navy
Thursday, 16th November, 2023 @ 7.15pm
The Studio, The Forum, Barrow in Furness
BDAE Press Release: Life at sea as an Engineering Submariner
Cdr Evans is the senior naval representative for Dreadnought and first member of Ship Staff as she is being built in Barrow. He will draw on his experience of rising from the ranks to senior engineering posts on the deterrent submarines, Navy Command and the Ministry of Defence to inspire our young award winners.
Having joined the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice in 1988, Cdr Evans progressed through the ranks before his selection to be an Officer in 2004. He has spent most of his 35-year career honing skills in Submarine Operations and Capability Acquisition.
His Senior Engineer career began in 2010 when he was assigned to HMS Vigilant’s Long Overhaul Period (Refuel) in Devonport. Cdr Evans was present for crew training, operational control handover and active commissioning of systems including Power Range Testing the reactor. He then took the submarine through Contractor Sea Trials before undertaking Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DASO) in the US and then on to the Operational Patrols. Such was the importance on building on the success of HMS Vigilant regeneration into the operational cycle, he returned to Devonport in 2015 and supported the regeneration of HMS Vengeance through to DASO as the Marine Engineering Officer for the second time. On leaving the platform, he took up a post in Navy Command as an Officer Career Manager before promotion and two years as Commander Nuclear Propulsion Operating Standards, promoting ‘Operate Safely’ policy.
Assigned to Submarine Production (SMP) in 2019 to assist with the final stages of Audacious exit, he had the honour of signing the handover certificate for Boat 4 overseen by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Tony Radakin. Cdr Evans said: “My time with Boat 4 was a great experience. Due to the pandemic, we were all really committed to completing the vital work to deliver the platform into the hands of the Royal Navy despite the challenges. It would not have been possible without a real team effort across all partners on-site”
After a short role in the Dreadnought Alliance approving the design of Platform Mechanical systems and as a Key Safety Function Owner, he is now the first member of Dreadnought Ship’s Staff. In his role as SNO he is responsible for ensuring throughout support of the build programme, that the platform can be operated at sea and is capable of delivering the nations mission.
