The M.V. Empress is a 22 metres (72 ft) in length, 6 metres (20 ft) in breadth and a draft of 2.3 metres (8 ft) steel hulled live aboard dive boat. It has a displacement of 93 tons with twin 230 horsepower diesel engines, 2, 25kva gen-sets and 2, 9cfm HP compressors. With 20,000 litres of fuel, Empress has a range of 5,000 miles and usually travels at an economical speed of 8 knots. She can store 3 tonnes of fresh water and capable of making 1 tonne of water per day. M.V. Empress is registered in Australia and operates out of Singapore most of the year, but moves around with the seasons and clients' requirements. She has been working in Asia since 1987 and is well known for her exploration diving to the South China Sea, Malaysian and Indonesian waters.

Facilities
The Empress is designed to carry up to 12 divers in 4 air-conditioned cabins, but more comfortably 8 to 10 divers when conducting technical / wreck diving. She is fitted with 2 toilets and 2 showers, water maker and several freezers for long trips. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available for sale on board. A variety of wholesome Asian and International cuisine is served. TV, Hi-fi and video entertainment, telephone and email communications are also available.

Diving
The Empress is fitted with a 50", 2 man dual lockout deco chamber, trimix / nitrox continuous blending system, and a gas booster pump. A deco trapeze at 4.5m, and 6m, hangs under the boat with pure 02 supplied, as well as sorb and helium, as required. Manifold twinsets and tanks, stage cylinders and other equipment are also available for rent. It has a 300kg diver lift at the stern of the boat for the divers convenience.

Specialty Diving
The Empress is well equipped with side scan sonar, forward scanning sonar and magnetometer equipment, meaning she is especially effective for wreck diving.