The ship, called the Haithabu, is being operated by the Government-Owned Company for Coastal Protection, National Parks and Ocean Protection, of the Schelswig-Holstein region of Germany.

Based in the port of Kiel and operated along the German coast of the Baltic Sea, the 39m-long, €10m vessel is equipped with a range of cranes including the 10t PK 23500 M and 13.1t PK 40002 M Palfinger marine cranes.

As well as water body monitoring and analyzing water samples in its on-board laboratory, the ship will also be used to clear unexploded bombs, mines, and discarded ammunition from the Second World War, using the Palfinger cranes to assist divers and to lift materials on board.