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HMS
Endurance (previously MV Polar Circle) entered service with the Royal
Navy in 1991 and supported British interests in the South Atlantic and Antarctic
Waters.
The
ship worked alongside members of the British Antarctic Survey Team,
carrying out hydrographic surveying, meteorological work and research
programmes.
Following an incident that resulted in
severe damage to the ship in 2009, HMS Endurance is currently
berthed at Portsmouth awaiting a decision on its future.
| HMS
ENDURANCE Specifications |
| Length |
91 m |
| Displacement |
6,500 tons full load |
| Beam |
17.9 m |
| Draught |
6.5 m |
| Engines |
2 x Ulstein Bergen BRM-8 diesels |
| Max Speed |
14 knots |
| Range |
6,500 nm at 12 knots |
| Complement |
112 (15 officers)
plus 14 Royal Marines |
| Helicopters |
2 x Westland Lynx
HAS 3 |
| Sensors |
Range of sensors |
| NAME |
DATE
COMMISSIONED |
| HMS Endurance (A171) |
1991 |
HMS PROTECTOR
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|
HMS
Protector |
In March 2011 the UK Government replaced HMS Endurance with a
Norwegian ship (MV Polarbjørn) on a three-year loan basis. The new,
6,000 tonnes ship, renamed HMS Protector has a similar mission to
that of HMS Endurance in patrolling and surveying the Antarctic and
South Atlantic
The hull is painted red for easy recognition in ice and the vessel
has importance as a political presence in the Southern Ocean and
Antarctica.
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