She was extensively modified in the early 1960s and escorted Sir Alec Rose around Cape Horn, South America in April 1968.

On 18 November 1951, Wave Chief was refuelling HMAS Sydney off the coast of Korea when there was an accident which resulted in a large spill of fuel and damage to her rig.

During December 1956 and January 1957, Wave Chief accompanied HMY Britannia during the Duke of Edinburgh's tour of the southern oceans.

[2] From November 1958, Wave Chief was deployed supporting Royal Navy ships in operations off Iceland in the First Cod War.

In 1961, Wave Chief came to the assistance of the Haisboro Light Vessel which was sinking off the Norfolk coast after being in collision with another ship.

[2] The squadron, under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Fitzroy Talbot, visited ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

[2] On 25 April 1968, Wave Chief departed from Punta Arenas, Chile to rendezvous with the yacht Lively Lady, which was being sailed single-handedly around the world by Alec Rose.

[2] From May to August 1973, Wave Chief operated in support of Royal Navy units involved in the Second Cod War.