On 18 June 1943, Athabaskan sustained damage during a collision with the boom defence vessel Bargate at Scapa Flow, resulting in a month under repair at Devonport.
Returning to Scapa Flow in December, 1943 she escorted convoy JW55A to the Soviet Union but in February 1944, rejoined Plymouth command and was assigned to the newly formed 10th Destroyer Flotilla carrying out 'Operation Hostile' (Minelaying) and 'Operation Tunnel' (Patrol) missions off the coast of France.