Royal Navy ice patrol ship HMS Protector returns home under tow after lengthy shipyard stay

Reports say the 5,000-ton HMS Protector came home on a tow line after two years in and out of a shipyard, while investigations into a reported 'defect' continue. The Telegraph says the Royal Navy has lost icebreaker capability, a concern for the Falklands.

Timeline

1. 21 Oct, 07:50 UTCPicked up on News
2. 21 Oct, 07:50 UTCGoogle Trends spike on towed ice patrol ship
3. 21 Oct, 07:50 UTCTelegraph flags loss of icebreaker capability

Top sources

• royal navy ice patrol ship towedGoogle Trends
• A 5,000-ton British ice patrol ship that once pushed to within 650 miles of the North Pole came home at the end of a tow line after two years in and out of a shipyard, and the ship she replaced sat tied up for seven years before a tug took her away for scrapAutonocion.com
• HMS Protector heads back to home port as investigations continue on 'defect'Forces News
• HMS Protector towed into Devonport with her future uncertainNavy Lookout
• The Royal Navy has lost icebreaker capability. That’s not good news for the FalklandsThe Telegraph