While primarily powered by a pair of diesel engines, she was rigged as a ketch sailing vessel in order to increase stability and allow for silent running.

[5] After finishing her shakedown cruise August 6–26, 1968, she arrived in Antarctica at Palmer Station for the first time on December 25, 1968, and as part of the United States Antarctic Program,[5] for the next sixteen years, she transported scientists around the continent to perform research.

[6] Hero was the first vessel to be dedicated full time to scientists at Palmer Station, allowing them access to areas in the field that were previously inaccessible.

[8] Also During Deep Freeze 1971–1972, National Geographic Magazine was on board the Hero writing a story about Palmer Station, Deception Island, and the research vessel.

[6][4] In 2008 she was sold to another local named Sun Feather LightDancer, who moved her to Bay Center, Washington, and intended to restore her but was unable to obtain the required financing.

[6] On March 4, 2017, Hero partially sank at her dock in Bay Center after a storm[6] and deconstruction took place in the fall of 2022 removing what was left of the half sunken ship.