Second Sea Lord

Office of the Second Sea Lord (2SL)
Ensign of the Royal navy
Incumbent Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock OBE since 2015
Appointer	Recommendation of Secretary of State for Defence to the Prime Minister Approved by HM The Queen
Term length	Not fixed (typically 2-3 years)

Recommendation of Secretary of State for Defence to the Prime Minister

The Second Sea Lord (2SL), is one of the most senior admirals of the British Royal Navy, responsible for personnel and naval shore establishments.

In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were assigned to each of the 'Naval' Lords, who were described as 'Professional' Lords, leaving to the 'Civil' Lords the routine business of signing documents. The Second Naval Lord was the second most senior Naval Lord on the Board of Admiralty and as Chief of Naval Personnel was responsible for handling all personnel matters for the Royal Navy.

The posts of Second Sea Lord and the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command (CINCNAVHOME) were amalgamated in 1994 following the rationalisation of the British Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War. (The post of Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command had been created on 1 July 1969 as a result of the merger of the posts of Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth and Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth.)

2SL is based in Portsmouth in a combined headquarters with the Fleet Commander on Whale Island. Until October 2012 he flew his flag from HMS Victory, the world's oldest commissioned warship, which is preserved in dry dock in Portsmouth. The right to use HMS Victory as a flagship came from his position as CINCNAVHOME, who in turn acquired it from the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth. Since October 2012, distinct Commander-in-Chief posts have been discontinued and full command responsibility vested in the First Sea Lord, who now flies his flag from Victory.