Launched during the Great War as a heavy tugboat of the Dainty class, given to the Irish Free State (Coast Watch) in 1922, transferred to a French owner in 1924, and converted after that date to a salvage vessel (with heavy winches, air pumps, heavy derrick on the mainmast, rear crew quarters converted to salvage gear hold -- converted back recently to passenger quarters).

Length:  162', beam 32', draft 14', displacement 1050 tons

Speed: 12-15 knots knots from 1200 HP oil-fired triple expansion steam engine. Range 1200 miles at 10 knots.

Armament: none, although machine guns can be fitted on the gunwales.

Crew: 14 (captain, 2 mates, 4 engineers, bosun, 4 able-bodied seamen, cook, steward) -- enough for round-the-clock engine and deck watches; 8 passengers or salvors/divers can be carried if needed.