Behind the scenes at Cork's Naval Service Diving Station in Haulbowline

Irish Examiner security correspondent Cormac O'Keeffe and photographer Chani Anderson visited the Naval Service Diving Section to see the work they do, and learn of their ambitions for the future

Lt Jason Croke, Officer in Charge of the Naval Service Diving Section, inside the unit’s facilities at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork, where highly specialised equipment — from hyperbaric chambers and diving helmets to remotely operated vehicles and surface-supplied systems — supports a small, highly trained team undertaking demanding subsea operations. Picture: Chani Anderson

The scenes in the classic German war series Das Boot depicting the physical effects and mental torment from descending into the sea are excruciating to watch. 

The hull of the U-boat creaks and moans and crew members scream from the intense pressure as they go deeper to escape depth charges.