Frigate HMS Marlborough has left Portsmouth to begin her final deployment under the White Ensign.

The Type 23 frigate is spending six months in the Arabian Gulf as the Royal Navy’s patrol ship in the region, working alongside coalition forces to monitor shipping movements at sea, looking for smugglers or potential terrorist activity and providing reassurance for genuine traders.

The ship is also due to carry out goodwill visits to Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“The deployment has been the focus of preparations on board for the last nine months,” said Commanding Officer Cdr Ian Graham.

“With a challenging period of pre-deployment sea training successfully completed, the ship is ready to make a full contribution to the Royal Navy’s activities in the region.”

Marlborough is due to return home in April and will decommission in June after 14 years’ service in the Fleet.

Sister frigates HM ships Grafton and Norfolk will also pay off by 2006 under the shake-up of Naval forces announced during the summer.

Grafton is due to carry out her final deployment in the New Year.