The ships primary role is undergraduate sea training in support of the units programme of navigational skills and seamanship training, and this is accomplished through designated 'sea weekends' as well as Easter and Summer deployments, during which the ship deploys for up to five weeks. During these deployments, the five person ships company remain 'in theatre' while students are transported out to the ships location. After receiving a significant engine upgrade in 2014, the ships range was greatly enhanced and consequently in summer 2015 and 2016 "Explorer" has deployed to the Baltic Sea where the ship conducted a range of training and local engagements.