HIGH profile visits and routine patrols have been part of the varied diet for the ship’s company of HMS Grafton since the ship sailed for the Middle East early this year – but the recent suicide attacks on Iraqi oil terminals has put an altogether different slant on things.

The Type 23 frigate slipped into the Operation Telic programme, taking over from sister ship HMS Norfolk at the beginning of March, and within days had visited Muscat in Oman and the great seaport of Karachi in Pakistan.

As the first British warship to call in for some time Grafton caused something of a stir, especially as the visit coincided with that by First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West, reinforcing the strong ties between the Royal Navy and Pakistan Navy – which operates a number of former RN Leander and Type 21 frigates.

On sailing Grafton conducted a range of seamanship, navigational and seamanship exercises with host ship PNS Tariq, the former HMS Ambuscade.

Returning through the Straits of Hormuz, Grafton took up her patrol duties, monitoring commercial shipping calling at Iraqi ports.

Not only does this create a difficult climate for smugglers, but it also helped clear the path for the fledgling Iraqi Coastal Defence Force (ICDF).

Part of Grafton’s patch was the Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT), ten miles off the Al Faw peninsula and capable of supplying four supertankers with 48,000 tonnes of crude oil each hour.

A second VIP visit was conducted in Bahrain, when the ship hosted a reception for the Duke of York and also welcomed members of the Jordan Formula One racing team, who were in action in the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix the following day.

Although some of her ship’s company were able to watch the race, they were soon back at sea among the oil terminals – including the Khawr Al Amaya terminal (KAAOT), which reopened during Grafton’s patrol following repairs to damage done during the Iran-Iraq war.

Although currently limited to single-tanker operation, the KAAOT and ABOT between them have generated around £700 million for the Iraqi economy.

Grafton’s tenure as KAAOT guardship, operating with the USS Yorktown, was a tricky period – the terminal is close to Iranian territorial waters and stands in rich fishing grounds, swarming with dhows.

The area is notorious for piracy and other dodgy activities under cover of night, and it was clear that honest traders and fishermen were glad of the nightly, highly-visible patrols by Grafton’s seaboats.

An exercise with the USS Firebolt, USS Bulkeley and two Qatari patrol boats completed another phase of Grafton’s deployment, and the end of April saw her undergoing a self-maintenance period in Dubai.

It was during the ship’s period in Dubai that the unsuccessful suicide attacks on the oil terminals were carried out, killing three of Firebolt’s boarding party.

So it was a very different atmosphere when the British frigate returned to the terminals, with the emphasis shifting to deterring repeat attacks.

While Grafton was back on station two of the five ICDF craft conducted their first patrols of the area, and two prospective Executive Officers were embarked in Grafton – allowing business to be conducted in Arabic and giving the ICDF officers a taste of what they can expect when they begin to take up the patrol task at the end of this month.

Grafton’s Commanding Officer Cdr Adrian Cassar said: “We have already visited six different countries and conducted three patrols in the Northern Arabian Gulf – there is no doubt that the first half of the deployment has been as diverse as it has been rewarding.

“Furthermore, I believe it has demonstrated the effectiveness and utility of a ship like Grafton and what is achievable with the right kit, the right training and above all, the right spirit.”