hi Lugworm, this is of interest...
I am on patrol 25 in my latest career and every time I click on the return to base button I get a CTD
why are you clicking return to base when you are on patrol ?
you are either on patrol or in base - it becomes patrol 26 when you go out again. maybe i dont understand...
when i exit the game i 'save and exit' ususally naming each save as 1 - 2 - 3 etc. if i return to base my patrol is over.
i dont know how it works but if you return to base far out at sea it
may have adverse affects on your save. also saving near sinking ships or other moving enviroments may cause problems. hope this helps.