HMS Endurance (A171)

HMS Endurance (A171) was a Royal Navy ice patrol vessel. Constructed in Norway as the Polar Circle, she was chartered by the Royal Navy in 1967 and purchased outright in 1968, renamed HMS Endurance. Her primary role was to maintain a British presence in the Antarctic and South Atlantic, conduct hydrographic surveys, and support scientific research.

Endurance was distinctively painted red, earning her the nickname "Red Plum" due to her resemblance to a jam jar. She was equipped with a helicopter deck and facilities to support a helicopter, crucial for reconnaissance and logistical support in the harsh Antarctic environment. The ship played a vital role in charting previously unmapped areas and facilitating scientific expeditions studying the geology, biology, and climate of the region.

In 1982, Endurance played a supporting role in the Falklands War, primarily providing logistical support and acting as a communication relay vessel. She transported members of the Special Boat Service to South Georgia.

In 2008, while operating off the coast of Chile, Endurance suffered severe flooding due to a valve failure. She was subsequently towed to Punta Arenas for initial repairs and later to the United Kingdom. After extensive assessment, it was deemed that the damage was beyond economical repair, and she was decommissioned in 2009. She was eventually replaced by a new HMS Protector. The loss of Endurance represented a significant setback to the Royal Navy's Antarctic presence and scientific support capabilities in the region.