# HMC Protector

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Not to be confused with [HMS Protector](/source/HMS_Protector).

**HMC *Protector*** is a [Border Force](/source/Border_Force) (customs) cutter of the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), formerly the ***Tavi*** of the [Finnish Border Guard](/source/Finnish_Border_Guard). She was built by [Uki Workboat](/source/Uki_Workboat) in [Finland](/source/Finland) and was acquired by the UK Border Force in 2013. After a period of refit, the vessel was commissioned by the then Home Secretary [Theresa May](/source/Theresa_May) on 17 March 2014. *Protector* replaced [HMC *Sentinel*](/source/HMC_Sentinel), which was retired in 2013.

## Construction

HMC *Protector* is the only vessel of the *Telkkä*-class operating in the UK Border Force's fleet and works alongside four 42-metre (138-foot) customs patrol vessels. *Protector* was built in 2002 by Uudenkaupungin Työvene Oy at [Uusikaupunki](/source/Uusikaupunki), [Finland](/source/Finland) and named *Tavi*, originally serving with the Finnish Border Guard.[5][6] The design includes an ice-class steel hull and an aluminium superstructure.[3] After service with the Finnish Border Guard from 2002 to 2013, *Tavi* was sold to the UK Border Force.[7] Following a period of refit, the vessel was renamed *Protector* and entered service on 17 March 2014 with a commissioning ceremony in [London](/source/London). The home port of the *Protector* is [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth).

## Propulsion

*Protector* is fitted with twin Wärtsilä 12V200 engines [1] driving twin propellers [1] through a pair of reduction gearboxes.[1] The total installed power of 5,000 kW (6,700 hp)[1] gives *Protector* a top speed of 22 knots (41 km/h).[1] A single bow thruster is fitted[1] for manoeuvring.

## Operational history

From April to October 2015, HMC *Protector* was located in the Mediterranean as part of [Operation Triton](/source/Operation_Triton)[8] alongside [HMC *Seeker*](/source/HMC_Seeker). The two ships were responsible for rescuing 1,650 refugees and apprehended 26 people traffickers. Both vessels operated alongside the [Italian Armed Forces](/source/Italian_Armed_Forces) and had a small contingent of [Royal Marines](/source/Royal_Marines) aboard.[8]

On 28 August 2019 she was involved in the seizure of approximately 750 kg of 80% purity cocaine off the coast of Pembrokeshire. The vessel was then landed in Fishguard harbour.[clarification needed]

## References

1. ["IHS Maritime Portal (subscription required)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180109133128/http://maritime.ihs.com/). Archived from [the original](http://maritime.ihs.com/) on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2017-08-10.

1. ["FleetMon Tracking of HMC Protector"](https://www.fleetmon.com/vessels/hmc-protector_4544107_2008903/?language=en). Retrieved 2017-08-10.

1. ["*Protector* - Home Secretary launches new Border Force cutter to protect UK coastline"](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-launches-new-border-force-cutter-to-protect-uk-coastline). Retrieved 2017-08-10.

1. ["*TELKKÄ* Frontier Guarding Vessel"](https://www.deltamarin.com/references/telkka/). Retrieved 2017-08-10.

1. ["Single Ship Report for "4544107""](https://www.miramarshipindex.nz/ship/4544107). *Miramar Ship Index (subscription required)*. Wellington, New Zealand: R B Haworth. Retrieved 17 December 2019.

1. [*Finnish Maritime Index: 09-10*](https://shipsforsale.com/assets/docs/Finnish-Maritime-Index-09-10.pdf). Gothenburg: Breakwater Publishing. 2009. p. 316. ISBN 978-91-978123-1-3. Retrieved 17 December 2019.

1. ["Rajavartiolaitoksen laiva myytiin Britanniaan"](http://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000000652778.html). 29 August 2013. Retrieved 2017-08-10.

1. ["Team that rescued 1,650 migrants get a hero's welcome in Portsmouth"](http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/team-that-rescued-1-650-migrants-get-a-hero-s-welcome-in-portsmouth-1-7002979). Retrieved 2017-08-10.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [HMC Protector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMC_Protector) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMC_Protector?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.