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APRIL 4, 2023

PHOTO ESSAY

First images of new Multi Role Ocean Support ship (MROS) renamed RFA Proteus

The new Multi-Role Ocean Support ship (MROS) being converted on Merseyside is receiving her new paint job, name and pennant number.

The former MV Topaz Tangaroa arrived on the Mersey on the 19th January and was taken straight into dry dock. She is now in the wet basin at Cammell Laird shipyard and is being re-painted in grey, has received the pennant number K60, and is named RFA Proteus.

The prefix ‘K’ for the pennant number is assigned to ‘miscellaneous’ vessels by the RN and was last used by the diving ship HMS Challenger (K07) decommissioned in 1990 and the helicopter support ship, RFA Engadine decommissioned in 1989. The half-completed paint job can be seen in this bow view.

Proteus will be dedicated to safeguarding critical seabed infrastructure and will act as a ‘mother ship’, operating remote and autonomous off-board systems for underwater surveillance and seabed warfare. The 6,000-tonne vessel was built in 2019 and was purchased by the MoD for £70 Million from Topaz Marine, a subsidiary of P&O Maritime.

Before winding ship, the port side awaits re-painting.

Initial inspection in dry Dock, January 2023.

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