After seven months of hard work combating dangerous Somali pirates, HMS Chatham is due to return to Devon on Friday.

The well-earned return to Devonport Naval base is even more welcome for the frigate's commanding officer, Commander Simon Huntington, who will meet his baby son William for the first time.

HMS Chatham has been a NATO taskforce flagship at the forefront of intercepting the ruthless pirates, who target merchant vessels.

During their seven-month patrol in the Gulf of Aden, the ship's crew took part in several daring rescue missions, including the release of the crew of an Indian-flagged vessel who were held hostage.

The stretch of water – located in the Arabian Sea between Yemen and Somalia in the Horn of Africa – is notorious for the mercenary groups of Somali pirates.

Cdr Huntington said: "Our ship was on constant alert for the small dhows and skiffs, which carry pirates hungry for rewards many times higher than they can earn on land. First and foremost, the Royal Navy has a duty to ensure that the high seas are peaceful and safe, to protect our people and trade against hostile acts.

"That is best achieved by a Naval Service that is deployed, and we feel we have shown what can be done to improve security, prevent conflict and offer humanitarian assistance. The shipping that we worked to guard is vital to our energy needs, our economy, employment and the supply of everyday items that are freighted around the world to be sold in the British high street."

Commander Huntington handed over his crew's responsibilities to the Dutch warship HNLMS De Zeven Provincien at the beginning of the month and said everyone on board is excited to be nearly home.