From MercoPress · · 1m
HMS Protector leaves UK without Ice Patrol
Royal Navy icebreaker HMS Protector breaks down, leaving UK without Arctic ice patrol.
In brief
Royal Navy icebreaker HMS Protector breaks down, leaving UK without Arctic ice patrol. HMS Protector, the UK's polar icebreaker, broke down and left UK without an Ice Patrol, risking Arctic navigation safety. Originally reported by MercoPress.
HMS Protector breaks down
HMS Protector suffered engine problems and was towed back to Plymouth.
Critical timing for Arctic navigation
World powers rush to take advantage of Arctic navigation opportunities, especially Russia, while Argentina threatens Falkland Islands resources.
Royal Navy calls it catastrophic
Royal Navy sources admitted the situation as a catastrophic failure, with Commander Tom Sharpe calling it poor timing.
HMS Protector's history
HMS Protector was originally named MV Polarbjørn, leased by UK Navy for £8.7m a year, and bought for £51m in 2013.
HMS Protector's service
HMS Protector has 25 years of rough seas experience in both poles and is expected to last another decade before replacement.
Replacement plan
Royal Navy will replace HMS Protector with a more modern variant to maintain ice patrol capability.
Here's the gist
HMS Protector, the UK's polar icebreaker, broke down and left UK without an Ice Patrol, risking Arctic navigation safety.
