The engines produced a total of 2,000 shaft horsepower (1,500 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).

Rye carried a maximum of 160 long tons (163 t) of fuel oil that gave her a range of 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km; 3,200 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

Rye served in the Mediterranean Sea based in Malta as part of the 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla.

The Rye's captain, Iain Pearson, was awarded a bar to his DSC for service during the Malta Convoys.

Her ensign is laid up in St Mary's parish church in the town of Rye, East Sussex.