It was a white Christmas for the ship’s company of HMS Protector as they received their Christmas boxes from UK4U whilst in Antarctica. The ship is now midway through her second work period of the 2014/15 Austral Summer providing support to UK interests in the most remote region in the world.
Much of Antarctica is only accessible during the UK winter (the Austral summer), which necessitates Christmas away from home for the ship.
HMS Protector was able to deliver stores to the UK base in Port Lockroy, providing a welcome respite to the staff at the base.
While the stores were being delivered some of the ship’s company took the opportunity to go ashore to visit the small museum there and see some of the local wildlife, including penguins and seals.
Leading Engineering Technician (Mechanical Engineering) Peter Miller said: “An amazing day at a unique location, I was privileged to spend the morning at Port Lockroy, it’s times like these you cherish while on a busy ice period.”
HMS Protector will be continuing her patrol in the Antarctic Peninsula throughout the early part of 2015 before returning to the UK in time for the northern hemisphere summer season.
Press Release