HMS Ledbury's refit in Scotland will be welcome after hard service in the Gulf.
Ahead of the refit, the ship was put through gruelling sea trials off the coast of Portugal.
"They put the ship through as much as they can, if something is not working 100 per cent, they can make a note and will do it in the refit," explained marine engineer officer Paul Claridge.
Having already lost their auxiliary engine to a faulty fuel pump while in a minefield, the mechanical problems continued after the sea trials when a stern seal on her port engine failed, letting in water.
Ledbury came home on one engine, her starboard.
However, it was not all major repairs for the engineer crew - they even found time to mend the washing machine!
Conditions in the engine room in the Gulf were extremely demanding, said the MEO: "In the engine room and generator room it was approaching 50 degrees C 24 hours a day. You drink as much water as you can but you were just running with sweat, it was like you had just jumped into a river."
The drills did not end with the sea trials - man overboard procedures were exercised twice in the Bay of Biscay on Friday - the poor unfortunate getting a dunking was Fred, a 16 stone dummy.
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