2013 = HMS Protector Commanding Officer, Captain Rhett Hatcher prepares to carve the turkey

The ship is currently deployed to the Antarctic to carry out survey and patrol operations. As the ship will be at sea on Christmas Day, the crew decided to hold their festive celebrations early.

Pictures released today show the ship’s company enjoying a game of football before settling down to a roast turkey dinner in a real life winter wonderland.

Commanding Officer, Captain Rhett Hatcher, said:

Spending Christmas in the coldest, windiest and driest place on earth comes with a number of challenges but it is a truly unique privilege.

With 21 hours of daylight we need to remind ourselves to take a break from operations, but when we do so we know that despite being a very long way from our families and friends at home, we are proud to be on patrol for the Royal Navy and in the best possible company over the Christmas period.

HMS Protector sailed from Portsmouth in October, travelling to the Antarctic Peninsula via Cape Verde, Rio de Janeiro and South Georgia.

The British Antarctic Territory is the UK’s largest overseas territory and HMS Protector’s role is to provide a sovereign presence in the region.

The 5,000 tonne ice patrol ship is also conducting research on behalf of the UK Hydrographic Office and providing logistical support to the British Antarctic Survey organisation.