After a two and one-half-month post-shakedown availability at the Charleston Naval Shipyard to correct deficiencies uncovered during shakedown and to install additional equipment, W.S.

Sims operated with various types of submarines in order to determine the capabilities and limitations of the installed long range underwater sound detection equipment.

The tests continued throughout the year and took the escort to such ports as New Orleans; Fredriksted, St. Croix; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Nassau, Bahamas.

The ship returned to Mayport in time for Thanksgiving and, between 22 November and 31 December 1971, was involved in a fleet standdown period, during which officials representing the squadron, flotilla, and type commanders conducted a series of inspections.

From 27 March to 6 April, the destroyer escort and William V. Pratt maintained a close surveillance of Soviet naval units in the south central Mediterranean.

Sims visited Gaeta, Italy, and Golfe Juan, France, before taking part in Operation "Quickdraw", a combined United States and Italian naval exercise held on 17 April.

On 8 May 1972, the ship joined in a combined naval exercise, Operation "Dawn Patrol", with British, French, and Italian warships.

Sims arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for refresher training, but an engineering casualty soon forced her to return to Mayport for repairs.

The ocean escort returned to her home port on 10 August, enabling the crew to enjoy a period of leave and liberty.

For the first month and one-half, the ocean escort's duties involved operations in support of United States interests in the Middle East crisis.

Sims guarded the King of Morocco embarked on the French luxury liner Roussilion en route to the Arab oil conference held in Algiers, Algeria.

After a visit to Rota and exercises with America, the escort ship participated in a search for survivors of a small British trawler; and four of six missing sailors were recovered.

On 15 April 1975, the frigate joined in Fleet Exercise "Agate Punch" which involved naval air, surface, subsurface, and land forces.

Sims was moored at Port Everglades and then got underway for Andros Island and trials to evaluate new antisubmarine warfare equipment.

After an operational readiness evaluation and gunfire support qualifications at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, the ship returned to Mayport on 2 July.

En route, she participated in Operation "Joint Effort", a series of exercises conducted in a task group environment.

Sims was 700 yards (600 m) aft of John F. Kennedy when Bordelon collided with that carrier and searched the nearby waters for any men who might have been thrown overboard.

"Teamwork 76" was a major NATO exercise involving the forces of the United States, Great Britain, Belgium, Denmark, West Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway.

A severe storm with 20- to 30-foot (9 m) seas, encountered en route, damaged the main mast to the point where it had to be supported by riggings of mooring lines.

"National Week XXIII" began on 15 August and consisted of intensive war games involving both 6th Fleet task groups, elements of the Italian Navy, and American Air Force planes.

The crew enjoyed a port visit to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, before going to sea for "Bystander" operations near Gibraltar.

After successfully undergoing an operational propulsion plant exam, the frigate got underway for the Caribbean and Exercise "Comptuex;" then headed up the Cooper River to moor at the Charleston Naval Station on 27 April.

Sims conducted tests and inspections at sea, followed by an in port period from 13 to 28 June, during which she completed preparations for the upcoming Mediterranean cruise.

After a brief run to Naples, she received on board Admiral H. E. Shear, Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe.

During the last week of August, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, paid a visit to tour the ship.

Sims conducting tests with French submarine Daphne and NATO's oceanographic research ship Maria Paola Gee.

When the backup diesel generator failed to function properly, the decision was made to try to execute a "residual steam light off" of the boiler.

The crew was able to get a fire lit in the boiler briefly but, without any electricity to monitor and control fuel & oxygen valves, the combustion would not stay stable.

Shortly after the space was empty, the high temperatures inside the boiler and leftover fuel used in the residual light off attempts ignited and caused a fireball to shoot out of the "mack" (main mast & exhaust stack).

Sims until a US Navy tug, which was originally on route to Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico, was diverted to relieve the Coast Guard cutter and take the USS W.S.