HMAS Protector (ASR 241)
{{Other ships|HMAS Protector}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
}} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:HMAS Protector (USN).jpg | Ship caption = HMAS Protector in 1992 }} {{Infobox ship career | Ship country = Australia | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Australia|naval}} | Ship name = Protector | Ship builder = Stirling Marine Services, WA | Ship laid down = | Ship launched = | Ship christened = 1984 as MV Blue Nabilla | Ship acquired = 18 October 1990 | Ship commissioned = November 1990 | Ship decommissioned = 1998 | Ship renamed = 1990 | Ship homeport = | Ship nickname = | Ship honours = Two inherited battle honours | Ship status = Sold to Defence Maritime Services | Ship notes = | Ship badge = }} {{Infobox ship career | Ship country = Australia | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Australia|civil}} | Ship name = Seahorse Horizon | Ship namesake = | Ship owner = Defence Maritime Services | Ship acquired = 1998 | Ship in service = 1998 | Ship out of service = 2018 | Ship homeport = {{HMAS|Creswell | 6}}
| Ship identification = {{IMO Number|8406200}} | Ship motto = | Ship nickname = | Ship honours = | Ship status = Sold as of 2018 | Ship notes = | Ship badge = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Ship displacement = 670 tons full load | Ship length = {{convert|42.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|9.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = 2 Detroit 12V-92TA diesels; 2,440 hp (1.82 MW) sustained; 2 Heimdal controllable pitch propellers | Ship speed = {{convert|11.5|kn}} | Ship range = {{convert|10000|nmi}} at {{convert|11|kn}} | Ship endurance = 14 days | Ship complement = 6 civilian or 9 navy (for training) | Ship sensors = Navigation Radar: JRC 310 I-band. Decca RM 970BT I-band. Sonar:Klein side scan. | Ship armament = | Ship aircraft facilities = Helicopter platform (removed 1992) | Ship notes = }} |
HMAS Protector (ASR 241) was a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) trials and submarine rescue ship. Built in 1984, the ship was initially operated by the National Safety Council of Australia as MV Blue Nabilla. She was purchased by the RAN in 1990 for use as a surveillance, training, and diving support vessel. During her military career, Protector supported the trials of the {{sclass|Collins|submarine|2}}s, and was involved in a search for the shipwreck of the World War II cruiser {{HMAS|Sydney|D48|6}}. The ship was decommissioned in 1998 and, while still owned by the Commonwealth, she is provided to Defence Maritime Services to allow them to support Navy activities under contract. Renamed Seahorse Horizon, the ship is operated by Defence Maritime Services out of {{HMAS|Creswell||6}} as a training and Fleet support vessel.
Construction
The ship was constructed by Stirling Marine Services in Western Australia, and was completed in 1984.
Operational history
She operated as MV Blue Nabilla for the National Safety Council of Australia until 1990.
The ship was purchased by the RAN on 18 October 1990, fitted with a LIPS dynamic positioning system, two Remotely Operated Vehicles and a recompression chamber. She was commissioned as HMAS Protector in November 1990. She supported the {{sclass|Collins|submarine|2}} trials and acceptance process from 1992. On 10 June 1995, Protector was slightly damaged when a switchboard malfunction aboard {{HMAS|Collins|SSG 73|6}} caused the submarine to ram the trials ship.{{cite book |last=Yule |first=Peter |author2=Woolner, Derek |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qZ-WlswoHFwC|title=The Collins Class Submarine Story: Steel, Spies and Spin |year=2008 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Port Melbourne, VIC |isbn=978-0-521-86894-5 |oclc=213111359|pages=213–4}} The vessel also performed in the surveillance, training, and diving support roles.
During 1997, Protector undertook a brief and unsuccessful search for the remains of the World War II cruiser {{HMAS|Sydney|D48|6}}.{{cite book |author=Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JCFADT) |title=Report on the Loss of HMAS Sydney |publisher=The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia |location=Canberra |date=22 March 1999 |isbn=0-642-25872-4 |oclc=42768622 |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/sydney/Reportinx.htm |accessdate=9 November 2009 |page=139 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003010558/http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/Sydney/Reportinx.htm |archivedate=3 October 2009}}
When Protector was decommissioned in 1998, she was provided to the RAN's support craft contractor, Defence Maritime Services, for use in the provision of Fleet and training support operating out of {{HMAS|Creswell||6}} under the name Seahorse Horizon.[http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/1998/06_01_98/010698story7.htm Navy News 1 June 1998] In 2002, Seahorse Horizon took part in Exercise Dugong, laying and recovering mines.[http://www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS/editions/4517/story10.htm Navy News 2 September 2002]
In May 2018 Seahorse Horizon was put up for sale to the public by the Commonwealth.{{Cite web|url=http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5034644/boats-marine-aircraft/unreserved-ex-military-ship-hmas-seahorse-horizon?spr=true|title=Unreserved Ex-Military Ship - HMAS "SEAHORSE HORIZON"|website=www.graysonline.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-25}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|HMAS Protector (ASR 241)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Protector}}
Category:Auxiliary ships of the Royal Australian Navy