HMS Protector

Ice breaker HMS Protector returned to Brabant Island – on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula – for the first time since 2017 to continue work to remove abandoned equipment from an expedition in the 1980s. Ice had frozen some waste into position but subsequent thaw and freeze cycles meant it could now be removed seven years on. Twenty-nine members of HMS Protector’s … [Read more...] about Royal Navy sailors clear waste off Antarctic island

The Royal Navy will help scientists study the impact of tourism and climate change on the Antarctic as icebreaker HMS Protector begins her annual polar mission. Scientists from the University of Portsmouth will work with HMS Protector until the end of January as the survey and research ship deploys with a double-pronged mission dedicated to better understanding the frozen … [Read more...] about Royal Navy supports science mission into human impact on Antarctica

Sailors on the Royal Navy’s polar research ship found an enormous Antarctic glacier vanishing at an alarming rate. The mighty Sunshine Glacier has shrunk by one seventh in 20 years – an area the size of more than 130 football pitches has melted away. Where HMS Protector’s small hi-tech survey boat sailed was a towering wall of ice some 700 metres from the glacier’s snout … [Read more...] about Navy’s Antarctic research ship highlights impact of climate change as huge glacier melts

Royal Navy research ship HMS Protector is helping cutting-edge international research into the penguin populace and climate change in one of the most remote places on earth. Experts from Britain and the USA are working with the icebreaker to study colonies of the birds in the South Sandwich Islands – so off the beaten track even the Royal Navy only calls in once a … [Read more...] about Royal Navy supports international research into Polar penguin population

Sailors from HMS Protector paid tribute to legendary Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton – a century after he died pushing the boundaries of polar research. Crew of the icebreaker held a memorial service at his graveside on the island of South Georgia – the latest stop for the survey ship as she heads to the frozen continent for a summer of scientific research. The … [Read more...] about Navy’s ice ship Protector honours pioneering polar explorer 100 years on

The Navy’s sole icebreaker HMS Protector today left Plymouth for the Antarctic – her first visit to the frozen continent since 2019. With the UK about to be the focus of international efforts to tackle climate change as it hosts the UN COP26 conference in Glasgow, the unique survey/research ship will continue her work supporting scientists from around the world study the … [Read more...] about HMS Protector sails for ‘new adventures’ in Antarctica

The Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship is back at sea after a £14m ten-month revamp to enhance her ability to work in Antarctica. HMS Protector left Teesside after the biggest and longest overhaul during her ten-year career under the White Ensign. The work carried out by UK Docks and the ship’s company since last March will mean the ship – unique in the Royal Navy’s Fleet … [Read more...] about Navy’s ice ship HMS Protector returns to sea after £14m revamp