[1] She had diesel-electric propulsion, with three Paxman Ventura 12-cylinder diesel engines rated at 1,280 brake horsepower (950 kW) powering two electric motors, rated at a total of 2,000 horsepower (1,500 kW) and driving one propeller shaft, giving a speed of 14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h).

[1] In January 1979, Herald, along with sister ship Hydra and the smaller survey ships Fawn and Fox, was carrying out survey operations off the coast of Iran when she was diverted to pick up about 60 British and American dependents from the port of Bandar Abbas in the wake of the Iranian Revolution.

[4] During the Falklands War, Herald served as a Red Cross ship, ferrying casualties from San Carlos to Montevideo.

[6] Following the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Herald was deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean as a support ship for the minehunters of the 3rd Mine Countermeasures Squadron.

After decommissioning, Herald joined her sister HMS Hecla in Waterford after a brief re-fit in Cork dockyard.