HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s icebreaker, has successfully completed its Antarctic scientific mission for the season, playing a crucial role in protecting birdlife and laying the groundwork for future research.
The ship’s sailors undertook activities such as clearing up rubbish and monitoring birds on one of the most important islands in the region, leaving special markers at key locations to facilitate accurate and safe surveying of Antarctic waters by themselves and others.
The Plymouth-based survey ship operates on a five-year mission, alternating between the hemispheres. During a work period lasting four to six weeks, the ship conducts survey work to update charts, collaborates with British and international scientists, delivers supplies, and collects scientific data, among other duties.
After delivering supplies to the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust at Port Lockroy, HMS Protector’s hydrographers established a geodetic point on Goudier Island.
The marker will serve as an accurate location reference point for future survey work, enabling more effective and efficient research activities.
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Good example that not every vessels needs to be a warship. I’m still hoping we go for something along these lines but armed as a replacement for MCM/Hydrographic work.
To an extent I agree. I think in this day and age a ship like this needs more than just a helipad. It should have its own organic manned helicopter along with the hanger to keep it in, as per the late HMS Endurance.
Feel like we should have two icebreakers, protector for down in Antarctica to survey and help out the scientists down there. Then another which is used for the artic which is a bit more armed to counter russias influence up there. Maybe something along the line of the Canadian patrol vessels they are building for the artic but a bit bigger so it can hold survey equipment as well.
Another ‘Sir David Attenborough’ would be just the ticket, got the plans already and she would be a great presence. Would need to ensure she also has allocated helo’s perhaps add another couple to the Puma replacement order (if they ever get round to ordering them that is).
HMS Protector could have a helo with hanger with the hanger under the pad. Had been mentioned but clearly not proceeded with.
I think she has 4 miniguns & 5 GPMGs for anti piracy & mall boat defence. The Falklands war HMS Endurance had 2x20mm guns & its Wasp had rocket pods. You never know what your otherwise peaceful ship will run into, especially on the other side of the world in a hotly contended Antarctic, in a very unstable world. Probably a RM detachment too.
Good point, I meant fixed armaments like turrets and missiles but was not clear.
I thought to work in antarctic waters ships had to be unarmed, which is why protectors weapons can all be removed.
There is no specific treaty against a ship being armed I. Antarctic waters..it’s just military weapons on the land or ice shelf is a no..on water whatever guns and missiles you fancy.
They do have an RM detachment. Apart from the obvious they provide survival training for the crew and anyone based down there who needs it.
HMS Protector is a great asset for the South Atlantic, particularly in view of the Argentinians recent upping of the rhetoric in their bid to take over the Falklands. As with many of the RN’s ships in her much diminished fleet, ‘ multi-role ‘ is the need for the future. We can no longer afford hulls dedicated to single or narrow missions. The UK has a huge area of interest stretching from the Falklands down to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands(SGSSI)and on to bases on the Antarctic shelf. Argentina basically claims the whole area based on flimsy history and the idea that proximity gives rights of ownership. There are many examples, especially in the civilised world where proximity is no bar to sovereignty. The Channel Islands and French islands just off the coast of North America are but two such examples(not to mention Alaska!!) Protector and future replacements should be up-armed to enable them to at least add to the capability for initial response/self defence in the event of hostilities until reinforcements are in place. Such’ up-arming ‘(another new word?) would be at a minimal add-on cost