Unable to surface to receive messages

My memory of that scene is kind of hazy but I do remember the chief of the boat saying something like 'forward air pressure 0'. I surmised from that scene that blowing the ballast tanks was not an option, and that is why it was critical to restore propulsion. Perhaps the tanks were not charged. Why, I can't say, I don't recall if that is covered.

Edit: Just watched that scene. The line is 'Forward ballast tanks damaged sir, forward air pressure 0'. There you have it. Oh, and it wasn't the COB. Another officer or chief.

The only issue I take with that scene (and it's a really small one) is the rate at which they show the ship sinking. That ship is nearly 600 feet long. At barely over three boat lengths they reach crush depth. If the ship truly were sinking at that rate it all would've been over in less than a minute. But that's okay. It's a great scene anyway.

To add to what herbsuperb wrote, at that point in the story (after the second attack) the depth of the sub is no longer the main issue in the communications blackout. The problem is that "the radio" was damaged in the attack, hence Vossler must be their Scotty to save the day by repairing said radio. It is not entirely clear, but within the confines of the movie story I don't think even periscope depth would have enabled them to receive EAMs until those repairs were done.

To me, this is technically dicey, because the ballistic missile submarine in this movie seems to have less communications redundancy than a Starbucks, but as you indicate, this is necessary to drive the story.





"Morbius, something is approaching from the southwest. It is now quite close."

There may have also been the issue of hull popping. Older subs, including boomers, creak when pressure is changed suddenly when either diving or surfacing. That would have given their position away for another attack.

Regardless of the damage and the Emergency blow system. Prior even to the damaging torpedo attack....

NO Strategic Nuclear asset is going to the surface for a radio message.
Remember Ramsey's reluctance even prior to that of going anywhere near the surface until the missiles were ready for launch, which is why they attempted to use the communications buoy in the first place.

When you are shallow, you are a lot easier to detect than when deep. Not just because of the hull popping from the expansion and contraction of the hull under varying seawater pressures... but for cavitation of the Prop from lessening sea pressure as well. The Soviets also have satellites that can detect shallow subs but not at depth.

Even Hunter would not go near the surface until they were ready to do so.
Your idea of Surfacing to get the message is quaint, but uninformed.


I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

Big thing is they are in Russian waters during a coup. They just battled a Russian attack sub. Surfacing would give away their position and make them vulnerable to surface ships and aircraft.