LC - Rothzagar-class Rescue Ship

Rôthzagar-class Polar Rescue Ship

The Rôthzagar-class rescue ship came as a response to an increase in subantarctic and Antarctic tourism and the loss of MV Explorer in 2007 and her replacement, the MV Antarctic Explorer, in 202x with the loss of 150 passengers and crew.  Both ships were lost due to ice heavier than they were rated for penetrating the shell plating; the loss of MV Antarctic Explorer also resulted in extended delays in rescue due to severe weather, the drifting of Antarctic Explorer’s lifeboats, and failure of Antarctic Explorer’s owners to maintain emergency equipment on the lifeboats. 

The Londthyrian Navy, already operating the Airmed-class hospital ships and based on the US Navy’s San Antonio-class LPD, sent out an RFP for a minimum Polar Class 4 rated design based on the Airmed-class hospital ship, and including the well deck at the stern.  Changes to the basic San Antonio design include armor plate along the bow and icebelt, thermal systems in the ballast tanks and well deck, and heated flightdeck.

While technically not a hospital ship, the Rôthzagar-class maintains a self-defense capability in line with the Geneva Convention that technically does not violate the Antarctic Treaty – RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, Mk44 Bushmaster II chain guns, two Mk 41 VLS 8-cell bays loaded with Enhanced Sea Sparrow Missiles, and .50 cal GAU-21 machine guns.

Search and rescue is carried out by a small airwing of two MH-53J(LC) Pave Low heavy and 3 MH-65C/D/E Dolphin light rescue helicopters; all MH-65C and D variants will be upgraded to E variants by the mid-2030s.  Two Severn and Arun-class motor lifeboats are carried in the well decks of the class.