HMS Protector back in Portsmouth after a successful nine-month Antarctica deployment

Saturday, May 11th 2013 - 10:26 UTC

Full article 12 comments

HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, has returned to Portsmouth at the end of a nine-month deployment to the ‘Frozen Continent’. Operating in the British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands throughout the Austral Summer, the ship conducted three intensive work periods in the ice, and a fourth work period in the waters surrounding South Georgia. Read full article

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Anglotino
Perhaps Britain should think about berthing the HMS Protector in Australia or New Zealand during the southern summer.

Or better yet, Australia put out to tender a replacement to our own icebreaker Aurora Australis in January. Maybe we could do a twofer or go halves.

Considering Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom possess more than half of Antarctica and share the same monarch, we should perhaps federate our Antarctic territories - the Federation of Antarctic Commonwealth Territories - FACT. Helps to emphasise our claims are indeed a fact when compared to others.
May 11th, 2013 - 11:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Escoses Doido
@1:
Yes, I know, but the thing is, some people have their Antarctic territory claim marked out on the back of their passports.

I don't think Austrailia does, or NZ. (certainly not the UK)

So I guess those who have this on their passport cover must have a legitimate claim - Eh?
May 11th, 2013 - 01:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Conqueror
@2 Not a chance. Illegitimate claims by nazi toadies. They have a choice. They can give up their claims. Or they can die. Makes no difference to me.
May 11th, 2013 - 05:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
Nine months at sea, four work periods and rescued a cruiser AND it's still afloat!

But what else do we expect, being Brits?

Eat your hearts out you peskie argies!!!!
May 11th, 2013 - 05:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Islander1
And of course made another friendly port call and R&R visit to friendly Montevideo
May 11th, 2013 - 08:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Pete Bog
Where's your ice breaker Argentina?
May 12th, 2013 - 12:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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reality check
Do you mean the ARE Ineptitude?
May 12th, 2013 - 06:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Pete Bog
I believe so-the ship that symbolically mirrors Argentina's Imperialist ambitions to claim Antarctica, and its actual ability to do so.
May 12th, 2013 - 06:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
BUT
perhaps a big naval base in the falklands would give then something to think abt,

but on the other hand- militerising the south atlantic would just send CFK crying and bawling to the UN.
May 12th, 2013 - 06:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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mcarling
It would be nice to see HMS Protector occasionally helping to protect the whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary from poachers.
May 13th, 2013 - 07:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Benson
@2
I just drew Russia on the back of my passport, I guess that means the Falklands now owns Russia.
May 13th, 2013 - 09:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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jwolf
Has there been any discussion of the Royal Navy having its own facility at the new Port Williams site or are they content with what they have at Mare Harbour? From what I can see on Google Earth the Mare Harbour base looks a little scant should the UK ever have to ramp up naval operations in the area. Then again maybe it's sufficient, I dont know.......
May 13th, 2013 - 02:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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