In September 1942, "Sharpshooter" formed part of the close escort for the Arctic convoy PQ 18, with "Sharpshooter" being used as a rescue ship to pick survivors from sunken ships as well as for more conventional escort duties. The convoy came under heavy air and submarine attack, with 13 ships in total being sunk. "Sharpshooter" rescued 101 survivors during the operation. In November 1942, "Sharpshooter" escorted the return convoy QP 15 to Iceland, but on 27 November, shortly after leaving the convoy, collided with the cargo ship "Empire Snow", badly damaging the minesweeper.