Offshore patrol ship HMS Dumbarton Castle is getting ready to face the rigours of the South Atlantic again following a major overhaul in Scotland.

The Castle-class ship is due to be rededicated next month after spending some nine months at Rosyth, where engineers fitted new diesel generators, more powerful cranes to hoist and lower improved RIB seaboats into and out of the water, and have re-built her junior rates’ mess in a £8m package of improvements.

Dumbarton Castle arrived back in Portsmouth earlier this month for training and to prepare for the ceremony on July 16 in the city’s Naval Base.

The ship takes it in turns with sister-ship HMS Leeds Castle, each vessel serving for around three years at a time as the Falklands guardship.

When not in the challenging conditions of the South Atlantic, the Castle-class ships are given an overhaul – hence Dumbarton Castle’s refit – and join mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) on patrols, serving as a ‘mother’ ship.

“She’s looking good and performing well,” said Dumbarton Castle’s Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr John Garratt.

“We’re looking forward to putting her through her paces during intensive sea training.”

The improved accommodation aboard for the ship’s complement of 51 has gone down well with crew.

“It’s more spacious, allowing more people to socialise, and it’s more homely – something really important when we’re away from home,” said MEM Jess Owen.

The ship is due to sail for her next deployment to the southern hemisphere in August.

During her time in European waters Dumbarton Castle acted as Flagship of MCMFORNORTH (NATO’s Mine Countermeasures Force North), the command platform for a permanent standing force of up to seven minehunters and sweepers.