@Wade Have you ever boarded a submarine? Firstly, I always thought that the military were a fairly suspicious bunch & wouldn't allow pilots on board. Secondly, due to the curvature of the hull, I'm guessing there's no easy way except for a long-jump to gain a foothold.
I board submarines on a daily basis. Best method is a brow rigged from the pilot boat or tug to the submarine's deck. Second best is waiting until the tug is secured alongside, then going across the rounded hull with the aid of a long and sturdy boat hook. Jumping is a bad idea, they have been underwater and the rubber hull tiles are slick with growth, a recipe for an unplanned dunking.
