The primary function of the vessel covers fishery protection operations in water surrounding the mainland and islands of Scotland. In addition the ship operate in North East Atlantic Fisheries commission waters beyond 200 mile limits. The areas of operation include open sea, shallow coastal waters and estuaries and sounds with strong tidal currents.
The arrangement of the working deck and associated deck machinery is designed for safe operation utilizing a minimum crew on deck.
The vessel is designed for operation through the patrol area in all seasons to achieve maximum efficiency for boarding boat operations, with deck arrangement, stability and sea-keeping properties optimized and coordinated to provide a safe working platform in conditions up to winds of Beaufort 6 and sea state 5-6.

The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) selected the Hirta vessel as a Small Significant Vessel of the year 2008.