RFA Proteus
Proteus at Cammell Laird | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Marshall Islands | |
| Name | Topaz Tangaroa |
| Owner | P&O Maritime Logistics |
| Port of registry | Majuro |
| Builder | Vard Brattvaag, Norway and Tulcea shipyard in Romania. |
| Cost | $62 million |
| Yard number | 841 |
| Launched | 18 March 2017 |
| Fate | Sold to Ministry of Defence, 14 February 2023 |
| United Kingdom | |
| Name | Proteus |
| Namesake | Proteus, a sea-god in Greek mythology |
| Sponsored by | Akshata Murty |
| Acquired | 14 February 2023 |
| In service | 10 October 2023 |
| Homeport | Falmouth |
| Identification | |
| Status | In active service |
| Badge | |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | VARD 3 08 |
| Type | Multi-role ocean surveillance ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Displacement | 6,000 t (5,900 long tons) |
| Length | 98.1 m (321 ft 10 in) |
| Beam | 20.048 m (65 ft 9.3 in) |
| Draught | 6.0 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | Max 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) |
| Complement | 82 as civil supply vessel; 24 RFA and 60 RN personnel in RFA service |
| Aviation facilities | Helipad |
RFA Proteus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary within His Majesty's Naval Service of the United Kingdom. Its role is surveillance, acting as a platform for Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROUVs) and as a testbed for new specialist capabilities, required for monitoring waters important to UK interests. Acquired in 2023, the ship entered drydock at Cammell Laird for modification into a Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship (MROSS). She formally entered service in October 2023.
The ship was formerly named MV Topaz Tangaroa in 2017–2022, and was used as a platform supply vessel operated by P&O Maritime Logistics. The vessel was refitted after being sold to the U.K. Ministry of Defence in January 2023.
Proteus is one of two new commercial vessels acquired for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2023, the other being RFA Stirling Castle; a mine hunting support ship to act as a mothership for autonomous minehunters.