Home Office
HMC Protector is 1 of 5 cutters operated by Border Force to protect UK waters and coastline. They operate 24 hours a day, all year round, responding to intelligence-led information or patrolling high-risk areas. Their primary function is to intercept drug shipments and other restricted or prohibited goods being trafficked by sea.
Protector, which replaces HMC Sentinel following decommissioning in 2013, will be located in Portsmouth and operates around the UK coastline. Having successfully completed sea trials in the autumn she now joins her 4 sister cutters Seeker, Searcher, Vigilant and Valiant.
Home Secretary Theresa May launched the cutter at a ceremony at HMS President in London today (Monday 17 March). She said:
I am delighted to be here today to name HMC Protector as the latest addition to Border Forces fleet.
We are an island and sea-faring nation and HM cutters have a proud history of patrolling and protecting our shores that stretches back hundreds of years.
Todays vessels include sophisticated surveillance and navigation equipment to locate potential threats at sea. But it is the professionalism and commitment of the crew, who patrol all year round and in all weathers, that is our strongest weapon against organised traffickers.
Border Force Director General Sir Charles Montgomery said:
I am very proud to welcome HMC Protector and our Border Force crew to HMS President today.
Border Forces priority is the security of the border and our fleet of cutters play a key role in intercepting and deterring shipments of drugs and other prohibited goods, as well as people that criminal gangs attempt to traffic into the UK.
HMC Protector
Last year Border Force officers boarded over 2,000 vessels arriving in UK waters which ranged from fishing boats to larger commercial and freight-carrying ships.
Some of the largest seizures over recent years include:
- 2013 120kg of cocaine worth 20 million was found on a yacht off the Isles of Scilly
- 2011 1.2 tonnes of cannabis worth 10 million was discovered on a yacht off the Isle of Wight
- 2010 300kg of cocaine worth 50 million pounds was found off the Isle of Wight disguised as lobster pots