Are we really on the surface

[Reverie]

Depth changes and "taking 'er up" are tactically achieved through the use of the dive planes; the sole purpose is conserving a vital resource, the compressed air of a submersible in the theatre of war.

However, through a sudden attachment to patrols ala Type II, I have been curious as to the ballast of a boat particularly as there is no meter indication similar to the Expanded Aces of the Deep. The Upgrade to realising the amount of water/ballast in the boat was beneficent to a commanders survival efforts. This apparently is a shortcoming to the 3rd Edition of Silent Hunter, or I am ignorant of the magic button to press and exploit this expounder.

The logical response is to prompt for specifics:
In what condition is your boat?
In what "physical" condition is your crew functioning?
How long have you been submerged?
Can you ascertain the Sea State?
Post the Era and/or time of year/season.
Declare mechanical improvements/performance enhancements.

Persisting in a Campaign valiantly lodged within a "canoe" (q.v.) has guaranteed a modicum of regale, offset by prodding for System Specs. I can only declare that We sail On Time and We Sink Ships...with No Delays. In other words, this machine runs "Flight Simulator" at Full Chat. Yet, I digress....

Pushing to the Surface is not a problem, except when the crew is wimped to the point of inactivity and unresponsiveness.

Once on the surface, the boat may be expected to run sluggish for needs of Batteries Recharging, or the obvious need to crest the wave. The former is determined by observing the screws (if one engine is offline/charging one propellor is not turning), the latter is evidenced by the seaworthiness of the boat (moving on the waters surface or the Watch Crew pretending not to be drowning). In my experience with this software, both boat and crew perform admirably. Usually. I think.

After a push to the surface with more than Slow Speed, regardless of boat/crew condition, rain or shine, Spring-Summer-or Fall (Forget Winter: there's Still No Snow), this Type II may rise to the challenge (pun). Marching at a fuel conserving One Third Ahead, the speed may cruise to 7kt, push to 8kt, or even claw to, perhaps scavenge 9kt; all with no consistency.

The first reaction after the Watch Crew have jumped On Duty and the E-motor Crew have suddenly become the Diesel Crew and all seems stable but performance is inexplicably reduced, is to give the Surface Order. It doesn't deplete the Charged Air Supply when executed properly, i.e. surfacing through sufficient velocity, and thus eliminates a performance draw if emulating a compressor operating. After batteries are necessarily charged a noticable rise in engine performance is expected. But is an Order to Surface needed to substantiate the operational expectant? The concern is that the boat may be running with ballast, a boon when needing to dive quickly, but a bane to efficiency (crew fatigue, engine performance, fuel economy, etc.).

I may be imagining, nit-picking, or probing a simulation that replicates an experience that I have not and thankfully will ever know. Like some of you, I keep diving...i mean striving...for something better.

Gratefully and humbly awaiting the Forum response/involvement....

and then my career was depthcharged into a restart.

Sinkfully yours,
Reverie