Impending TV star HMS Grafton is hoping to make waves of her own on a six-month tour of duty in the Middle East.

The Type 23 frigate left from Portsmouth last month to join the war on oil smugglers 3,500 miles from the UK in the Arabian Gulf.

Grafton is due to be seen in the role of fictional frigate HMS Suffolk in the ITV1 drama series Making Waves, which is awaiting a slot in the schedules.

Until then, the ship will be involved in real-life dramas on the high seas as she joins a UN task force ensuring oil is not smuggled out of Iraq by pirates and mercenaries.

Each smuggler deprives Iraq’s citizens of the income which will be used to allow the rebuilt country to prosper again.

“One of our tasks is to deter and – where necessary – intercept and detain vessels suspected of smuggling oil,” said Grafton’s Commanding Officer, Cdr Adrian Cassar.

“We’re committed to the Government’s aim of returning stability to Iraq, and that includes controlling the smuggling of oil that belongs to the Iraqi people. We’re looking forward to making a real contribution to operations in the Middle East.”

Grafton spent most of 2003 in UK waters, a considerable amount of which time was taken by filming for Making Waves. The warship was home to 30 actors and a 60-strong film crew at times – as well as her 174 regular crew.

It’s more than likely the six-show series, featuring Alex Ferns – former EastEnders villain Trevor – as Suffolk’s Commanding Officer, will be broadcast while Grafton herself is on deployment.

“Although it is disappointing that we’re likely to be away, Grafton’s absence on deployment serves to illustrate how frigates such as Suffolk and her crew operate,” said Cdr Cassar.

“I think Making Waves will give people a realistic insight and greater understanding of life in the Royal Navy.”