HMS CHATHAM is one of 30 war ships in the Gulf, supporting the amphibious task group.

It is currently part of the Maritime Interdiction Force blockading, stopping and searching vessels to prevent illegal exportation of oil and goods from Iraq.

The crew of the type 22 frigate have been carrying out their vital UN sanction-busting duties in Gulf waters. In the event of war with Iraq HMS Chatham would be sent into theatre.

Part of the Armilla Patrol which has carried out anti sanction-busting duties since the end of the last Gulf War 12 years ago, HMS Chatham's crew will be ordering something like four or five vessels a week to stop while trained boarding parties carry out detailed searches.

Armed Royal Marines climb aboard the stopped ship, first to secure it, before boarding parties begin their detailed searches.

The frigates are part of a massive operation involving surveillance, intelligence and joint forces operations so vessels are stopped and searched with alleged good reason.

The latest figures for a typical six-month patrol show a total of 80 boardings during a patrol last year. These successfully diverted 10,000 tons of illegally exported oil worth 1.6 million US dollars.

The captain of HMS Chatham, the Hon Michael Cochrane, said: "Preventing illegal oil exports is a vital part of the Royal Navy's role in the Gulf. HMS Chatham, along with colleagues from 20 other Navies, is having considerable success in stopping illegal exports of oil."

The possibility of war with Iraq means that the return date of 4,600 ton HMS Chatham to the UK is uncertain.

Anybody wishing to check the frigate's progress, within security restrictions, can tune into her own website: www.royal-navy.mod.uk