UK Royal Navy’s HMS Protector set for disaster relief operations

The UK Royal Navy’s ice patrol vessel HMS Protector is set for disaster relief operations along with a Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) team as it assumes hydrographic survey operations in the region of British Virgin Islands.

The joining of the team comes in the wake of a disaster relief exercise on Beef Island where the vessel’s company accomplished their reaction to an emergency.

During the five-day training phase prior to the Beef Island exercise, the ship’s crew went through a host of scenarios including simulated fires, floods and man overboard and casualty exercises.

HMS Protector executive officer Commander Richard Bird said having a specialist ice patrol ship in the Caribbean may appear slightly strange but the vessel together with crew are conducting survey operations in the region while also ensuring being fully equipped for any situations that they may encounter.

"We are well prepared to assist with any aid effort that may be required in the lead-up to hurricane season both with a well-trained and focused ship’s company and the embarkation of a specialist Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief team," Bird added.

The HADR team would remain with the vessel until it relocates to the southern hemisphere in groundwork for continuing its ice patrolling at the beginning of the Antarctic summer.

Upon returning in June 2015, the Portsmouth-based HMS Protector is responsible for supporting science programmes and assuring expeditions and vessels are complying with their international environmental responsibilities.

In addition, the vessel also conducts patrols and survey for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Hydrographic Office, as well as offer logistic support to the British Antarctic Survey organisation.

Image: UK Royal Navy’s ice patrol vessel HMS Protector. Photo: courtesy of the Royal Navy.