The ship was originally the FS A. v. Humboldt, and was in service for the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) until 2004.

Using a navigation system in tandem with ultra-short baseline positioning, Hercules is capable of maneuvering and hovering on a centimeter-scale grid.

Diana is a side-scan sonar tow-fish that uses dual 300 and 600 kHz frequencies, with a range of approximately 200 meters on either side of the towfish.

[5][6] Echo is a five-channel deep tow, side scan sonar system rated to 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) water depth.

[5][6] The EV Nautilus satellite system uses a very-small aperture terminal (VSAT) to enable two-way Internet connectivity between ship and shore.

The ground station passes the signals to the Inner Space Center (ISC) at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography.

During expeditions, Nautilus can send broadcast-quality video streams, associated intercom traffic and data back to shore in real time.

Educators and scientists conduct interactive interviews with partners located at schools, museums, aquariums, and science centers around the world.