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The Navy’s sole Antarctic research ship has completed her first stint of the year around the frozen continent – which has revealed the impact of global warning. HMS Protector is on a five-year mission to support international research into wildlife, the changing climate and shifting waters of Antarctica and upholding the UK’s long-standing commitment to the region. The Plymouth-based icebreaker…
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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…
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This is a solar eclipse – the only one of 2021, and a marvel of nature witnessed by just a few hundred people… including the crew of HMS Protector. The Royal Navy icebreaker was in a prime position to witness the natural blackout as she patrolled the waters off South Georgia – the remote wildlife paradise and last resting place…
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Crew of ice ship HMS Protector paid their respects to the thousands of sailors who helped put an end to the slave trade. They joined leaders of St Helena in a service of remembrance and thanksgiving for the men of the West Africa Squadron – and the tens of thousands of slaves they liberated. For more than half a century…
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Stunning underwater volcanoes which hint at the origins of one of Britain’s smallest overseas territories have been recorded by Royal Navy survey ship HMS Protector. The distinctive bright red-white scientific vessel has spent the past few weeks working around Ascension Island – in the mid-Atlantic just south of the Equator – to update charts of waters last surveyed by the…
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The Navy’s sole icebreaker HMS Protector left Plymouth for the Antarctic August 10th, 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…
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June 14, 2021 – The Navy’s sole icebreaker is ready for cooler climes for the first time in more than two years after an intensive workout. HMS Protector has completed the road back to front-line operations following the most comprehensive revamp in her career. The Devonport-based scientific and survey ship has come through five weeks of demanding training – training…
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May 24, 2021 – Drones will soar over the frozen wastes of Antarctica – and help guide the Navy’s sole polar research ship safely through packs of ice. HMS Protector has been assigned two small rotary wing drones, specially adapted for her unique mission in the polar extremes. Although the Devonport-based survey ship has a large flight deck, with no…
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February 18, 2021 – Two of the UK’s Antarctic research ships ‘broke the ice’ when HMS Protector and Sir David Attenborough met up at sea for the first time. The icebreakers – operated by the Royal Navy and the British Antarctic Survey – sailed in company in the English Channel off Start Point in Devon as both gear up for…
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January 18, 2021 – 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…
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