The Key West visit was primarily operational, providing the opportunity to receive briefings from both the US authorities, who co-ordinate the counter-drugs effort locally, and the UK's Defence Advisors from the Caribbean region. Some time was available for recreation, however, and a significant proportion of the ship's company took advantage of Key West's excellent diving and sailing facilities.

Since leaving Key West the ship has been integrating into the multi-national effort against the drugs trade, assisting in building a picture of shipping movements and conducting boarding exercises involving both the ship's helicopter and boats.

The ship is now host to a United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, who enhance the ship's ability to board and search suspicious vessels. Dispelling the myth that the sun always shines in the West Indies, the US visitors were recently treated to a great British tradition – a barbecue in the pouring rain!