USS PERMIT SSN-594

• Namesake: USS Permit (SSN-594) was named after the permit, a fish found in western Atlantic waters. She was the lead ship of her class, known originally as the Thresher-class until that name was changed after the loss of USS Thresher in 1963. • Commissioning: USS Permit was commissioned on 29 May 1962, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, and was the first nuclear submarine built on the West Coast of the United States. • Technological Advances: The Permit-class introduced several significant improvements, including the BQQ-2 sonar and SUBSAFE safety program enhancements after the Thresher disaster. • Thresher-Class Redesignation: The class was originally called the Thresher-class, but after the loss of USS Thresher (SSN-593), the class was renamed the Permit-class out of respect for those lost. • Role in Cold War Operations: USS Permit conducted numerous surveillance, intelligence, and training missions in the Pacific during the height of the Cold War, contributing to the US Navy’s underwater deterrent posture. • Collision Incident: In May 1962, just before commissioning, Permit collided with the merchant ship Hawaiian Citizen during sea trials, resulting in repairs and modifications before entering service. • Testing Platform: Permit served as a testbed for many new submarine technologies, including advanced sonar and noise-reduction systems that influenced later submarine designs. • SUBSAFE Program: After the Thresher tragedy, Permit underwent extensive upgrades and retrofits as part of the newly established SUBSAFE program, which focused on improving submarine safety and survivability. • Decommissioning: USS Permit was decommissioned on 23 July 1991 after nearly 30 years of service and was scrapped via the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. • Legacy: Artifacts from USS Permit, such as her ship’s bell, are preserved and displayed in museums, commemorating the service and technological achievements of early nuclear-powered submarines.