The ex-NZ navy Manawanui is a 43 metre dive support vessel, with berths for about 28 people, and a displacement of about 1000 tons, (gross tonnage 498 tons). She has a beam of 9.2 metres beam, her draft is 3.2m and cruising speed of about 9 knots. She was built in 1979 as a North Sea oil rig utility vessel, with a cargo capacity on the back deck of 150 tons, and has been in the NZ navy for over 20 years.
She has a recompression chamber, dive bell and a surface air system to supply divers to about 150 feet. The crane can lift 15 tonnes alongside, and 5 tonnes from its end. A four-point anchoring system enables her to hold precise position when moored. She is SOLAS compliant. Twin Caterpillar engines are rated at 455kw each.
More pictures of the ship are in the gallery