RFA Proteus

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 HMS Stirling Castle (M01); a mine hunting support ship to act as a mothership for autonomous minehunters.