Yeah, everything you described above was what I did thats why it was so easy getting in and out
Looks like my decision to stick to closer waters has backfired. I've been patrolling around Gibralter for a week and a half (game time) and I haven't seen or heard a single ship, plane or convoy.
The Milk Cow U461 has taken up station in the North West Atlantic. I'm heading out from the Moroccan coast towards her now to resupply my fuel, and then head on back to the US coast to see if I can actually find enemy shipping. The area directly outside Gibralter has always been a fav hunting ground of mine, but this time, i'm just not finding anything.
Back to the US coast it is. No harbour raids this time. Too much hassle.