The new vessel is based on the organisation's well-proved series of fourteen 9.5m rescue boats and the DGzRS said all of its considerable experience had been poured into the new type. A first boat of this type, Paul Neisse, went into service in 2003.

The extra length, and a beam of 3.16m, which is widest at the stern, has permitted a very roomy, closed superstructure on a welded sea resistant aluminium Delta hull. The boat is extremely stable and manoeuvrable, capable of withstanding heavy seas, while partition into several watertight compartments also makes it very safe.

Kurt Hoffmann draws 0.96m which makes the boat also suitable for inshore work in shallow waters and displaces 7.5 tons when fully laden with 15 people, including her two or three person crew. The vessel has a speed of 18 knots and an operational range of 240 sea miles. It is driven by a Cummins 6 BTA 5.9 M turbo-diesel engine of 235kW over a fixed propeller and boasts the latest navigation, communications and sounding equipment as well as a wide range of rescue and medical support equipment.

The addition of the Kurt Hoffmann brings the DGzRS fleet to 61 high performance sea rescue cruisers and boats based at 54 coastal stations between the Ems Estuary on the border with Holland in the west and the border with Poland in the east.

Last year the organisation carried out 2,547 missions and saved 368 lives.