When the vessel arrived she was met by Captain Philip Warwick, the Deputy United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander (UKMCC).

After the 47-day journey the 40-strong ship’s company then started to carry out the work the UK mine countermeasure force is renowned for – working with partners to ensure the security of sea lanes in the Gulf.

The voyage from Scotland was punctuated with port visits in Gibraltar and Malta before a period at the NATO facility in Souda Bay, Crete, where the ship was put through her paces testing her mine hunting capability.

The ship’s warfare officer, Sub Lieutenant Rachael Clark, said: “Transiting through the Suez Canal was a particular highlight of the journey as it marks the transition from western to eastern cultures.” Heat and humidity greeted the ship as she entered the Red Sea and visited the Egyptian Port of Safaga before continuing towards the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

As Penzance continued eastwards, she crossed paths with HMS Quorn and HMS Ramsey on their way home.

The port visits to Salalah and Muscat in Oman provided a welcome break from the four metre swells and winds of the South West Monsoon.

Able seaman Dave Morris, on his first deployment to the region, said: “I’m really looking forward to being in a different part of the world and working with coalition and regional partners in an operational environment.” Now alongside, the focus shifts to operational readiness and ensuring all on board are ready for their role on the frontline.

Lieutenant Commander Nick Unwin, commanding officer of HMS Penzance, said: “It’s been a long seven weeks but the team has done exceptionally well to ensure Penzance arrived here in Bahrain in as good a condition as she did.

“The engineers, particularly the Marine Engineers, and upper deck gunners had to work in extremely hot, humid conditions to ensure the ship could continue her passage safely and I am very proud of their achievements.”