Milk Cow question

[PapaG39]

I'm running the GWX 1.3 & looking into refueling at a nearby milk cow.

I know you can:
sail close to the milk cow and hit esc
end mission
dock at...

However, I am wondering if it is possible to just go in and refuel & start out again while keeping your present patrol number and information intact?

I know from doing it once before that your present mission will end and you will start a new patrol number...