Commissioned assigned to BFSAI to replace the damaged HMS Endurance as Antarctic & Ice Patrol Ship. Leased from GC Rieber Shipping for an initial period of three years, with an option to extend lease for further 2 years.
2011-nov-29
Deployment
Deployment departed HMNB Portsmouth for her first (7 month) mission to survey the Southern Ocean and coastal Antarctica and returned on 27 Jun 2012.
2012-feb-23
Deployment
DeploymentFerraz BaseComandante Ferraz Base to South Shetland Islands to assist Brazilian and Chilean Navy personnel in fire fighting at the Comandante Ferraz Brazilian research base on King George Island.
2012-aug-08
Port Visit
Port VisitIpswich Harbour to Ipswich for open day and visit by ships company to British Antarctic Survey HQ in Cambridge.
2012-sep-17
Deployment
Deployment departed Portsmouth for a 8 month mission to survey the Southern Ocean and coastal Antarctica and returned on 10 May 2013.
2013-sep
UK MoD purchased ship from GC Rieber Shipping.
2013-oct-17
Deployment
Deployment departed HMNB Portsmouth for a 19 month double Antarctic summer deployment. Returned to HMNB Devonport on 12 May 2015.
2013-dec-22
Deployment
Deployment coastal sonar survey of Antarctic Peninsula
2014-jan
Deployment
DeploymentSouth ThuleDouglas Straits sonar survey of South Sandwich Islands, in particular around Douglas Straits between South Thule and Cook Island for the UK Hydrographic Office
Homeport administratively relocated to HMNB Devonport, from HMNB Portsmouth on 1 Apr 2015. HMS Protector only returned from a double Antarctic summer deployment on 12 May.
2015-oct
Deployment
Deployment departed HMNB Devonport for 4 year Antarctica and Southern Ocean deployment. Returned on 25 Apr 2019.
2015-dec-01
Port Visit
Port VisitHobart As part of South Atlantic deployment, will monitor Japanese Whaling activities, cooperating with RAN and RNZN.
2016-jan-19
Port Visit
Port VisitLyttleton HarbourLyttelton Port to Christchurch. 1st visit of RN ship to NZ for 7 years.
2017-jan-17
Port Visit
Port VisitSigny Station H visited Signy Research Station to remove redundant equipment.
2019-may
Refit
RefitUK Docks Teesside Refit and docking period after 4 year Antarctica deployment.
2019-aug-20
Deployment
Deployment Departed the Clyde for Antarctic survey mission.
2019-sep-06
Port Visit
Port VisitHamilton HarbourHurricane Dorian Called at Hamilton to take on up to 200 tons of aid supplies for Hurricane Dorian relief in the Bahamas.
2022-oct
Refit
RefitMontevideo Intensive maintenance period in Montevideo, following S Atlantic and Antarctic operations.
Odense Staalskibsvaerft Installation of survey equiment and moving flight deck to aft.
Ferraz Base Comandante Ferraz Base to South Shetland Islands to assist Brazilian and Chilean Navy personnel in fire fighting at the Comandante Ferraz Brazilian research base on King George Island.
Lyttleton Harbour Lyttelton Port to Christchurch. 1st visit of RN ship to NZ for 7 years.
Hamilton Harbour Hurricane Dorian Called at Hamilton to take on up to 200 tons of aid supplies for Hurricane Dorian relief in the Bahamas.
Montevideo Intensive maintenance period in Montevideo, following S Atlantic and Antarctic operations.
Aircraft
Royal Navy 
Havyard Leirvik, 