HMS Protector VIII Ice Patrol Ship
HMS Protector was the Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship and one of the most visible aspects of the UK Government’s enduring commitment to the Antarctic Treaty system. The ship provides a clear demonstration of the high regard the UK places on maintaining the distinctive Antarctic environment and its irreplaceable eco-system. UK Armed Forces have few dedicated capabilities for Arctic operations, and as noted by the Minister for the Armed Forces, there are few specific capabilities required for the Arctic which could not be used elsewhere. The Royal Navy has one dedicated ice patrol ship, HMS Protector. However it appears that Protector spends the majority of its time in the South Atlantic and Antarctic.
This was the eighth time that the name has been used. The name “Protector” has a historic connection with Britain’s Antarctic commitment. It was the name of the ship which preceded the former “Endurance” in the Atlantic role. “Protector” was the sixth ship to bear the name and completed 13 Antarctic deployments from 1955 to 1968. In view of the 1966 cancellation of H.M.S. "Terra Nova" an alternative replacement for the ice patrol ship H.M.S. "Protector" was needed in the light of the defence review and of the future requirements of the British Antarctic Survey. A seventh ship of the name saw service as a Falkland Islands patrol vessel from 1983 to 1987.
In 2008 “Endurance” was damaged beyond repair. In the mean time the task was carried out by HMS “Scott”. This was not satisfactory since “Scott” was not an ice-breaker, did not carry helicopters and was not armed. The government planned that a commercial ice-breaker, to be named HMS “Protector”, would provide the interim replacement ice patrol ship capability for at least three years while the Navy considered the long-term future of HMS “Endurance”. The government anticipated a contract for the ship’s lease and support being signed with the preferred bidder, GC Rieber Shipping.
HMS Protector was built at Havyard AS in Norway in 2001 for GC Rieber. The intention was to lease MV “Polarbjorn”, a Norwegian ice patrol ship for an initial period of three years. She arrived in Portsmouth in May 2011 where she was fitted with specialist military equipment needed for her deployment. From April 2011 until September 2013, the ship was leased from GC Rieber, to provide the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with an Ice Patrol Ship capability. The annual cost of the lease was £8.7 million, which included the cost of support. HMS Protector was purchased by the MOD from GC Rieber for £54 million in September 2013, which included the cost of one year's contract support.
HMS “Protector” was armed equivalently to her predecessor in order to fulfil the particularly important function of looking after the Falklands and South Georgia. The deployment of the new ice patrol ship was a separate issue from that of the security of the Falkland Islands. The permanent maritime presence in the Falklands was provided HMS “Clyde”, the Falkland Islands patrol vessel. The commander of British forces in the Falklands also had at his disposal either a frigate or a destroyer supported by a tanker.
During the 2015-16 season, and for the first time in 80 years for a Navy vessel, HMS Protector visited the Ross Sea. Here she conducted inspections of fishing vessels, providing reassurance that they comply with the spirit of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR) Convention as well as the strict regulations that exist to preserve the Antarctic marine environment.
HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship, arrived 11 April 2018 at the port of Buenos Aires to make a three-day visit focused on scientific exploration and logistic cooperation with Argentina in Antarctica. The HMS Protector was the first foreign ship that joined the Argentine Navy to provide logistical and technological assistance during the search operations of the ARA San Juan submarine.
During her visit, HMS Protector’s crew hosted a welcome reception and a capability demonstration for guests from the Argentine Navy, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There was also a science and logistical presentation with members of the Argentine Scientific and Antarctic specialist community. Students from school “Instituto Fundador Don Francisco de Merlo” visited HMS Protector. The visit included a tour of the vessel, a description of the ships Antarctic science and logistics role and a description of its role during the search for the ARA San Juan.
The UK and Argentina have for many years supported each other in their respective Antarctic missions. Scientists from Argentina and UK are working together on various Antarctic projects, including the study of penguin habitats, terrestrial ecology and algology.
As the Royal Navy’s Ice patrol vessel, HMS Protector was undertaking a five-year deployment in the South Atlantic and Antarctica. During this period, the vessel conducts hydrographic studies of the area to improve the safety of navigation, engages with the international scientific community of the region and supports UK and international research stations in Antarctica in the study and preservation of this unique part of the world.
HMS Protector’s presence in the Antarctic meant that she was perfectly placed to foster positive relations and cooperation among all members of the International Community as they strive to protect the Antarctic continent as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science. This was no better highlighted than through the immensely generous and hospitable welcomes the ship receives at every scientific base, conducting inspections to ensure environmental stewardship and to confirm these facilities are not being militarised.
Beyond the ship’s engagement with the other Treaty signatory nations, HMS Protector had a pivotal role in providing support to the British Antarctic Survey in their scientific endeavours. She regularly played host to teams from BAS who make use of the ship’s facilities to conduct their work over a wide range around the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding waters. This includes cleaning up sites of previous activity and safely transporting the waste materials away from the continent so that it can be disposed of in an environmentally compliant manner.
Above all else, HMS Protector was a survey ship and with the ever-expanding growth of the Antarctic cruise ship industry, the ability to survey the seas around Antarctica with modern sonar equipment was vital to the safe operation of large commercial vessels and the avoidance of an environmental disaster that could take generations to recover from.
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