HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship, is transitioning from the icy waters of the Arctic to the southern reaches of the Antarctic after completing a successful mission in Canada’s polar regions, according to a recent news release from the Royal Navy.
The Plymouth-based survey and scientific vessel, which primarily operates in the Antarctic, occasionally ventures into Arctic waters to ensure her readiness to function in these challenging northern environments.
The ship’s recent deployment took her through the Hudson Strait into Hudson Bay, marking her first ice-breaking operations in these northern polar waters since 2022.
The primary objective of Protector‘s mission in Hudson Bay was to conduct crucial training in navigating the unique and treacherous conditions of the region. During the mission, the crew also strengthened ties with the Canadian Coast Guard, which operates more than 20 icebreakers across the Arctic.
Captain Duane Barron of the Canadian Coast Guard joined the ship for the mission, sharing his extensive expertise with Protector‘s officers as they navigated through challenging ice and fog conditions.
“This was a great opportunity to operate at the opposite end of the world than we are used to and hone our ice-breaking skills with the help of the Canadian Coast Guard,” said Captain Tom Weaver, Commanding Officer of HMS Protector, in the news release. He added,
“In the north, we saw vast floes of sea ice, moving with the winds and the strong currents, some of it formed last winter, some of it formed many years ago, getting harder with age.”
In addition to the training exercises, Protector‘s crew observed an array of Arctic wildlife, including a sighting of a polar bear and her cub.
After wrapping up her Arctic mission, HMS Protector made a stop in Quebec City, where she joined a group of allied ships, including the US Navy’s USS Carney, Canadian ships HMCS Fredericton and HMCS William Hall, and the French ship FS Rhone. The vessels opened their gangways to visitors, showcasing their capabilities.
Protector is now en route to the Caribbean, where she will transit the Panama Canal before undergoing maintenance in preparation for her upcoming Antarctic patrol during the 2024-25 season.
Great article, and would be intriguing to know the major differences in operating procedure for the Artic rather than Antarctic.
The other question I have is, if she is transiting from the Caribbean to the Pacific, where is the “maintenance” going to take place
After heading through the Panama canal, it would have to be Chile as the only allied nation on the west coast of South America, no? Unless she heads north to the states, or for whatever reason is going the long way round to the Falklands
Back when Protector was newish (to the RN) she did a tour or two of the Ross Sea, and some preliminary maintenance work was undertaken in Hobart. I don’t think that’s the case now, but Australia is another possibility.
Does suggest the enormous area covered by the Canadian Coastguard that they have 20 icebreakers to the one HMS Protector.
A new topic for ukdj angst: Icebreaker Envy!