shakedown training began on her maiden navy voyage to charleston, south carolina. by 20 march 1943 she completed 10 voyages in convoy from east coast ports to caribbean islands. she then made one supply voyage to reykjavík, iceland, arriving on 10 april. she then made two short deliveries to cuba before making her first transatlantic crossing in july, delivering men, mail, and stores in algeria, north africa. between further caribbean trips, "merak" voyaged to both sicily and scotland before the end of 1943.