After what seemed like an age, the replacement for HMS Endurance (Antarctic Patrol Ship) was announced a few months ago.
The name HMS Protector has previously been used for a number of ships but the last was also an Antarctic Patrol Vessel.
More information and images can be found at the HMS Protector Associations web site here.
After almost sinking following an engine room accident the fate of HMS Endurance has been uncertain, a decision on repair or replacement has yet to be reached but the decision has now been confirmed to provide an interim replacement for at least 3 years until a final decision can be made.
Here she is in better times
And not so better times
The interim replacement is a polar research and subsea support vessel called MV Polarbjørn (Polar Bear).
HMS Scott, the survey vessel, had been acting as stand in but this is not ideal, taking her away from the normal survey role.
The Polar Bear is a mere 10 years old and although smaller than the laid up Endurance will still be a capable stand in, although the lack of a helicopter hangar is far from ideal. Currently owned by CG Rieber Shipping the Polar Bear was previously operating on the spot market.
To quote the CG Rieber web site
The ‘Polarbjørn’ is purpose-built for undertaking both long duration Antarctic expeditions, and offshore subsea support duties. With her large public areas and accommodation capacities, helicopter deck and DP2 class, the vessel is well suited for undertaking flotel- and base ship functions on offshore fields and other operations. The vessel’s large deck areas and cargo holds offers ‘unlimited’ storage capacity for ROV and related equipment. The ship’s 50-ton knuckle-boom crane and the A-frame offers efficient solutions for handling equipment over the side and over the stern.
CG Rieber also operate the research vessel, The RRS Ernest Shackleton, currently on lease to the British Antarctic Survey.
HMS Protector has now emerged from her 10 day refit, ready for deployment. In a ceremony on the 1st of June she will be officially renamed and commissioned on the 23rd
November this year will be the start of her operational life as the Antarctic Patrol Vessel.
The ship’s refit included the removal and repositioning of the flight deck from the bridge roof to the stern, the installation of a multibeam echo sounder survey system, a complete overhaul of the main engines and gearboxes, and the addition of naval insignia.
As can be seen from the photographs the flight deck has been repositioned but most of the original deck fittings and cranes retained, perhaps as a condition of the lease arrangement or just because they are useful.
HMS Protector is to be equipped with a state-of-the-art survey motor boat and initially two Pacific 22 rigid inflatable boats, which will be replaced next year by a landing craft vehicle for the carriage of stores and equipment to shore. Three all-terrain vehicles and three quad bikes, complete with trailers, will also be carried and craned directly onto the ice to assist in the resupply of British Antarctic Survey scientific stations.
The statement that she would carry an LCVP caught my eye
I am sure one of these would be very useful, made possible perhaps, by the retention of the large capacity cranes.
Although not ideal, a new ship would have been much better, especially one with a dedicated hangar, this is a smart move by the MoD.
It creates a bit of breathing space in which to make a decision about a more permanent replacement and supports an ongoing presence in the Antarctic without crippling cost.
I just managed to get a comment off on another post. Previously it kept telling me that I needed Javascript enabled or that I needed to turn cookies on, but I’d never turned any of that stuff off (and to be honest, wouldn’t know how) and I haven’t touched anything since then.
As to HMS Protector itself, it’s good to see.
One question though, where was the re-fit done?
10 days is not that much time.
Also i don’t think i’d like to be in an LCVP in South Atlantic or Antarctic waters thank you very much!
Sir! There’s a very big wave coming!
Sir!…Oh shit!
The refit was done in Denmark
Obviously there is the main issue of helicopters here but moving on from that first it is very good news. They have committed 3 years to proper ice breaker class ship and her stats are not to be overlooked, although 1000t less is practically the same size in dimensions, just less superstructure. She does have significant crane capability, a large aft deck for storage and 5 thrusters will help a lot down south! The news that she will carry 3 BV 206’s and quad bikes is probably the best substitute for a helicopter, and the late addition of LCVP(S) will prove very useful (although we wait to hear if they will be Mk5 A or B [davit or craned]).
Just to put it out there, I wouldn’t be surprised if she is brought after the 3 years and realistically a proper flight deck and hangar could be fitted over the aft half of the stern deck. But first we need to get some ICE capable helicopters, since the old ICE Mk3’s have been upgraded/moved on, and of course then there is the small issue of pilots trained to fly in Antarctic conditions….
Welcome to Think Defence Henry, I think you are right about her being purchased at the end of the lease, wasn’t the last one obtained in the same way.
Do you think it would be feasible to fit davits within the constraints of the terms and conditions, suspect a crane launched LCVP will be the most likely option
I hope it’s kept at the end of the lease and Endurance is repaired. Having only one of something that you ‘need’ is always a bad idea. Plus, the grab for mineral resources in the North Pole could be another flashpoint where ships such as this could come on handy.
I think both davit and crane are feasible, they each have their separate advantages and disadvantages. I would say a set of deck mounted davits could quite easily be installed, PolarBjorn has previously had a lot of deck hardware installed, and they do make launching/recovery easier and faster. However crane launching does bring a certain flexibility for storage on deck albeit with all the extra safety issues. I suspect it depends to a certain extent what type the spare LCVP’s are!
I would have thought helicopters are pretty vital in the antarctic and it is a risk not having them especially in an emergency. Would a hovercraft be better than a landing craft?
Hovercrafts would in one aspect be better because there are lots of very long shallow beaches but you have to think what happens if something goes wrong (i.e. when bulwark visited London!). Also unlike LCVP’s the UK’s hovercraft stock isn’t exactly huge!
We could always buy back the ones we have sold back to Griffon!
http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/posts/58
Would a CB90 have been a better idea than an LCVP?
Also i don’t think i’d like to be in an LCVP in South Atlantic or Antarctic waters thank you very much!
Sir! There’s a very big wave coming!
Sir!…Oh shit!
…At midnight I was at the tiller and suddenly noticed a line of clear sky between the south and south-west. I called to the other men that the sky was clearing, and then a moment later I realized that what I had seen was not a rift in the clouds but the white crest of an enormous wave. During twenty-six years’ experience of the ocean in all its moods I had not encountered a wave so gigantic. It was a mighty upheaval of the ocean, a thing quite apart from the big white-capped seas that had been our tireless enemies for many days. I shouted, “For God’s sake, hold on! It’s got us!” …
Michael – The one major drawback of a CB90 is that they can’t take vehicles and with at least 2 pac 22′s onboard not sure what advantages a CB90 would bring. Whereas an LCVP can get the collection of vehicles to shore.
“Do you think it would be feasible to fit davits within the constraints of the terms and conditions, suspect a crane launched LCVP will be the most likely option”
We don’t know the terms of the charter, but bear in mind that for most of her life in the RFA, Oakleaf was on bareboat charter, as was at least one of the other Leafs (Brambleleaf?). They received some minor modifications from their commercial fit: weapons, comms, RAS rigs… In fact, the main reason they were bought by the MOD shortly before decommissioning was that they had no real commercial value as single hulled tankers and the cost of restoring them to original condition as required by the charter party exceeded that of buying them outright.
I’m not an expert on ship chartering, but I get the impression that so long as you return the ship in original condition at the end of the charter you can pretty much do what you like with it in the meantime.
However, the refit having been carried out already without adding davits, the lead time on manufacturing a new set of LCVP davits, the reduced deck space flexibility of davits, all suggest that the LCVP will be crane launched.
But what about an Army Mk4?
Anixtu – It’s unlikely to be Mk 4′s,there aren’t exactly many around still and the Mk 5′s have quite significant upgrades. Also a small RM team was usually on Endurance, likely to be the same on Protector.
In terms of davits don’t forget that the landing craft won’t be installed until next year, so plenty of time for all options to be explored and storage/launching systems designed and installed.
Why haven’t the navy spent a couple million quid yet on an absolutely excellent, cheap per unit UAV like the awesome Camcopter, they should at least have something like a Camcopter on every vessel afloat. They have enormous value for money with the big capability they have and the the enormous capability enhancement they’ll bring to any Naval vessel.
Please, please can someone do a piece about my issue.
http://www.schiebel.net/
http://www.defense-update.com/products/s/s-100VTOL.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schiebel_Camcopter_S-100
There so comparatively cheap. MoD please just consult the navies who use and have trialed the Camcopter, then buy a unit, trial it onboard a deployed ship, you’ll see how excellent it is, then buy 10 units (that includes the operating equipment), and put onboard all patrolling vessels.
Joe88 – In essence the RN has little need to deploy these on ships, they have lynx/seaking/merlin for all of that as well as the fact as nowadays they all have pretty hefty optics units fitted. And just a spare couple of million pounds, sure!
But looking at some initial ideas for the T26 some plans have 2 hangars, one for normal helo and then one for MULTIPLE UAV’s, so don’t think they are just ignoring UAV’s. It’s just a matter of £, demand and integration.