Understanding TWOS chapters/missions

[StimpsonJCat]

I'm hoping the fine people of the Subsim community can help me understand how SH5 TWOS campaign works.



In my first campaign in SH5 TWOS I am on Coastal Waters. I went to the eastern British coast and completed the three separate 24 hour patrols that are consecutively assigned. After completing the third patrol toward the northeastern coast I get a message from BDE that i can return to base unless I still have torpedoes and adequate fuel, in which case I am free to continue hunting.



I still have plenty of time before the official end date of the Coastal Waters chapter int he campaign. I see other optional side missions available such as the Scapa Flow raid and I think Baltic Operations. Should i pursue those missions now or can i wait? If i return to my assigned dock immediately will that end Coastal Waters and make those missions unavailable? How about just going for a refitting? I'm just a bit confused how this campaign system works.