Britain's only ice patrol ship breaks down
HMS Protector, Great Britain's only naval vessel conducting patrol and research operations in Antarctica, has broken down due to engine failures.
Operativ Media reports, citing The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
According to the publication, two engine faults occurred simultaneously as the ship was departing the UK. The vessel was subsequently towed to the Devonport naval base in southwestern England.
British Royal Navy specialists are evaluating whether the ship can be repaired. If repairs prove impossible, the Royal Navy vessel designated for Antarctic patrol and research is not expected to be replaced until 2030.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the faults have been linked to inadequate maintenance. One source told the newspaper that HMS Protector is an important ship not only for the Royal Navy, but for the entire country. Another source described the incident as a "catastrophic failure."
The vessel primarily patrols the South Atlantic and supports the Falkland Islands. It also plays a key role in maintaining the British presence in the British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.
Built in 2000 at a commercial shipyard in Norway, HMS Protector was leased by the Royal Navy in 2011 for £8.7 million per year. In 2013, the UK government purchased the ship outright for £51 million.
The ship has a crew of 88. HMS Protector is typically equipped with light weaponry, including machine guns, and frequently carries a Royal Marines detachment on board.
