Assigned to protect ocean commerce from submarines, "Hurst" departed Norfolk with her first convoy 14 December 1943, stopped at Casablanca, and returned to New York 24 January 1944. She then conducted gunnery and antisubmarine warfare exercises in Casco Bay, Maine, before sailing with another convoy from New York 23 February. Enemy action was not the only hazard on such voyages as two days out of New York merchant vessels and collided and sank during a heavy gale, the survivors being taken on board one of the escort ships. "Hurst" reached Lisahally, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 5 March 1944, and one week later returned to New York with another convoy.