This is the story of HMS Dawlish, a type 23 frigate and the dangers she faces on her way to the Persian Gulf. Among her 126 crew is a committed Al Qaeda terrorist. Using a secret explosive concealed in his kit, his mission is to blow up the ship and kill her ship's company. However, due to circumstances beyond his control, this initially becomes difficult, especially when, despite his fanatical religious beliefs, he finds himself attracted to one of the female crew members.

After a deadly encounter rescuing a merchant vessel from pirates, Dawlish arrives in Bahrain. She immediately has to escort a small merchant convoy through the Straits of Hormuz and is attacked by Al Qaeda jets stolen from Libya attempting to block this passageway thus preventing ships carrying oil to the West.

The fleet of today differs in almost every way from those in World War Two and later. As such the author has attempted to highlight the complexities of a fighting modern warship with its computer controlled rockets, missiles and guns. The book abounds with raunchy runs ashore as well as the inevitable relationships that occur between some of the twelve female ratings and officers and men. But will the terrorist complete his terrible task, and what fate awaits his girlfriend?