Help!

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Zero Niner

You could try surfaced but with decks awash - about 1 - 2 m deeper than when completely surfaced. It should cut down on your crash dive time substantially.
Put some distance between you and the airbase, try to sail surfaced at night at the highest speed you can run at whilst still having the range to get back to base.

[underwriting]

That'll be exactely how I'd do it, too.

Fair chance to get home alive and tell your crew comrades in the bar about your adventurous journey.

Cheers,
AndyW