The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship, HMS Protector, is swapping the icy waters of the Arctic for the frozen wilderness of the Antarctic after wrapping up a successful mission in Canada’s polar regions.
For the first time since 2022, HMS Protector sailed through the Hudson Strait and into Hudson Bay—a vast inland sea in east-central Canada—where she spent two weeks on vital ice-breaking operations in the northern polar waters.
The mission wasn’t just about training, though that was a key part. It was also about strengthening ties with the Canadian Coast Guard, which operates more than 20 icebreakers across the Arctic.
Normally patrolling the Antarctic, the Plymouth-based survey and scientific vessel occasionally ventures north to ensure she’s fully capable of tackling the harsh conditions of the Arctic—an environment that, while visually similar, offers very different challenges.
Captain Duane Barron of the Canadian Coast Guard came aboard HMS Protector, bringing his wealth of experience to the crew as they navigated through treacherous ice and thick fog.
Captain Tom Weaver, who commands HMS Protector, said:
“This was a brilliant opportunity to operate at the opposite end of the world from where we normally are, and to hone our ice-breaking skills with the help of the Canadian Coast Guard.
“In the north, we encountered vast floes of sea ice, driven by winds and strong currents—some of it fresh from last winter, and some much older and tougher. In Antarctica, we deal more with icebergs and glacier ice that’s as hard as concrete. It’s crucial to know what you’re dealing with to avoid any mishaps, so training in different conditions is always invaluable.”
The crew also had the privilege of spotting a polar bear and her cub during their Arctic mission—a memorable sight on a crisp, clear morning.
After wrapping up their work in the Arctic, HMS Protector made a stop in Quebec City, joining a flotilla of allied ships, including the US Navy’s USS Carney, Canadian vessels HMCS Fredericton and HMCS William Hall, and the French ship FS Rhone, all of which welcomed visitors aboard.
Now, HMS Protector is setting sail for the Caribbean, where she’ll transit the Panama Canal before undergoing maintenance in preparation for her next big adventure: patrolling the Antarctic during the 2024-25 season.
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