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HMS Endurance
Factfile |
 HMS Endurance |
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The Specifications |
Originally built in Norway and launched in 1990 as 'MV Polar Circle', the ship is a 1A1
icebreaker.
In 1991 she was chartered by the Royal Navy and commissioned into the naval service on
21st November 1991 as HMS Polar Circle. She was purchased outright in 1992 and renamed
HMS Endurance in October of that year. An appreciable amount of conversion work was carried
out which included the fitting of new hydrographic survey equipment and alterations to the
flight deck and hangar to enable the safe operation of her two Lynx helicopters.
She displaces 2500 tonnes and is 91m long and has a beam of 17.9m. The red hull colour is for
easy recognition in the ice, most especially from the air. She is powered by twin diesel
engines and has a top speed of 15 knots. Her bow enables her to cut through 0.9m thick
ice at 3 knots. She is fitted with some of the most sophisticated navigation and
manoeuvering aids in the world.
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