HMS Protector punched through thick Antarctic ice during a two-hour operation to prevent a cruise liner becoming trapped on the edge of the frozen continent.
The Portsmouth-based survey ship cleared the way for the Fram as dense ice floes began to gather around the liner, blocking her progress.
The daunting sight facing Protector as she comes to the Fram’s aid; a sea of ice in the Antarctic Sound. Pictures: LA(Phot) Arron Hoare, HMS Protector
HMS Protector punched through Antarctic ice for two hours to prevent a Norwegian cruise liner becoming trapped on the edge of the frozen continent.
The Portsmouth-based survey ship broke through ice up to four metres (13ft) thick to clear a way through the Antarctic Sound – a strait at the eastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, 650 miles from South America – so the Fram could sail safely again.
The Fram, which gives tourists the chance to sample the stark beauty of the frozen wastes, had been following the icebreaker through gaps in the pack ice when she began to be surrounded by fast-moving floes, blocking her path and trapping the bow.
Protector immediately turned back to help, approaching the Fram from astern and breaking up the ice in a delicate two-hour operation, which saw the icebreaker moving at just two knots.
Protector (left) approaches the Fram through the floes
The Fram was eventually released and led to safety.
“This is what we do in the ice patrol ship – we are the Royal Navy’s equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife – red, versatile and always there when you need us,” said Protector’s Commanding Officer Capt Peter Sparkes.
“Protector’s ship’s company are highly-trained and well equipped to deal with a spectrum of operations in Antarctica. That we are able to do so, so readily, is a clear demonstration of the Royal Navy’s global reach and operational preparedness.”
Sub Lt Rowland Stacey of the Royal Canadian Navy, currently on exchange with the Royal Navy and serving with HMS Protector, added: “This was an extremely impressive feat – operations in ice can be very challenging, but HMS Protector made it look easy. I am delighted to be a part of this team.”
The Fram follows Protector to safety
Ice conditions in Antarctica are extremely variable and subject to the vagaries of the continent’s wind and local currents. Ships can quickly become beset when the concentration of pack ice increases, which is often very quick. Once they are trapped, ships may have to wait for days, or even weeks, to escape.
The incident took place just a few miles from where Protector cut through the ice 12 months ago to prevent the ship herself being trapped – and a team of scientists stranded on James Ross Island.
One year on and after the ‘excitement’ of the Fram mission, Protector’s resumed her patrol of the British Antarctic Territory, supporting an international inspection team’s surveys of environmentally-sensitive sites around the Peninsula.
The ship will complete three further five-week patrols of the continent before heading north at the beginning of April and the onset of the austral winter.
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