The impressive survey and ice patrol ship, HMS Protector, was recently in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for a port call. CARIS, Canadian Hydrographic Service, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Science were invited onboard by HMS Protector and Tim Lewis from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) for a courtesy visit as well as to explore areas for collaboration.

The incredibly versatile vessel is currently on loan to the Royal Navy and has been fitted with an echo sounder, a temporary flight deck and other specialist equipment, including CARIS HIPS and SIPS for data processing. The vessel set out in late 2011 on its inaugural deployment to Antarctica to provide hi-tech hydrographic charting and imagery of the region.