However, in late 2008, it became known that the vessel was considered "non-compliant", and did not fulfill a number of specifications, such as being 100 tonnes over its design weight, resulting in revisions to its operating conditions during Antarctic duties.

The ship was also involved in the search for the crewmembers of the 47-foot (14 m) yacht Berserk in 2012, but had to turn back due to the weather which the captain called the worst storm he had ever seen in 19 years.

During that mission the ship lost three 50-person life rafts of which one was discovered by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel MY Steve Irwin.

The fishing vessels refused to be boarded and poor weather and sea conditions prevented Wellington from forcing the issue.

The ship relieved HMAS Armidale and conducted presence patrols to dissuade illegal smuggling and to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in moving throughout the archipelago.