Dont listen to the binbags above aside from the wrecker who you will probably deal with day in day out.
Boats
So. You will always be 6on / 6off at sea.
Sea is generally your 'quiet time'. Dabbers and everyone else wont understand this. The busiest time for an SC is alongside, getting it ready to go, dealing with problems etc.
Dependent on the class of boat you end up on / apply to go on the seatime in a year can range from 3-7 months, on and off.
Decent opportunity for quick promotion providing youre not a total dunce and can retain information
When abroad you get put up in a hotel
Paid submarine pay on completion of your course
paid submarine suppliment on top of the above when qualified
Paid £5k minus tax when qualified
Full SMQ course to be at sea
Own office
Not as much room onboard
Die quickly when it sinks
Ships
Sleep onboard unless you live out of the base, have a house etc
Not paid any suppliments or specialist pay
Exactly the same job, however its a lot more chilled out at sea. Not much 6on / 6off, basically 8-4.
At sea a lot more
Not complicated, no qualification to be at sea other than a dicky taskbook
Office full of people
Bigger messdecks and rec space
Drown slowly when it sinks
General
I wouldnt work in any other branch if they threw money at me, and Ive done 20+ years.
Submarines = more money, however its hard work and can be long hours due to manpower shortages and other factors
As you can see, they have to throw money at you to get you on a boat, which if its not for you can be difficult to resist. You sometimes however dont get to go near a boat and 'try it out' beforehand. Often its too late. I think once on SMQ (ie already on the way to being a submariner) the take you down.
The branch
All computer based nowadays, pretty straightforward. Rewarding, deal with all branches all day long. Good dits in the stores office. Usually dealing with senior rates who are actually fixing the defects as opposed to lads. Decent promotion prospects due to shortages at LH and PO, particularly submariners.
Good luck.