Although principally employed for the use as a yacht by the CinC, Surprise was also deployed in its operational role as an anti-aircraft frigate and was allocated to the Haifa Patrol for a brief period in 1948. The archaic term "Despatch Vessel" was replaced by "Flag Frigate" in 1961.
Surprise, primarily used by the CinC for a yacht, also performed as an anti-aircraft frigate and was assigned to the Haifa Patrol for a short period in 1948. The term "Despatch Vessel" was substituted with "Flag Frigate" in 1961.