Still registered in Bergen, the RN's new ice patrol vessel Protector arrives in Portsmouth for the first time on a very blustery morning. Built at Western Ship Repair Yard, Klaipeda and fitted out at Havyard Leirvik AS, she was delivered in 2001 as the Polarbjørn. Taken on a 3 year charter by the British Government, she will be accepted into the RN on 1st June and formally commissioned on 23rd, although she already carries her pennant number A173.

photo : Portsmouth, 23:05:2011
photo : © Dr. Allan Ryszka-Onions 2011

Category modified. WA