Minehunter Vieste is the second unit to bear this name. The first Vieste was a Crotone class minelayer, seized in Naples and sunken by the German Navy in 1943.

ITS Vieste (MHC 5553) is the fourth and latest of the Lerici class minehunters built at the Sarzana Cantieri Intermarine; launched in 1985 and delivered to the Italian Navy the same year.

ITS Vieste is a Mine Hunter Coastal specifically designed to find, neutralize and destroy naval mines. Is equipped with a deep sea sonar system that can be towed to a depth of 50 meters, and two Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV), to survey and analyze objects sitting on the ocean floor to a depth of 600 meters. Is regularly used to control maritime boarders and for Search and Rescue operations.

Moreover, the Vieste has been the first minehunter to be equipped with a state-of-the-art A.U.V. (Autonomous Underwater Veichle) to enhance her deep water research capabilities.

Despite these specific features, the unit has been designed to perform “dual use” activities, usually in cooperation with public Agencies, such as the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, the Italian Judiciary and other bodies, to survey the sea depths for ship or aircraft wrecks, historical finds, or to monitor the marine environment. Thanks to a multi-place hyperbaric chamber and medical staff specialized in underwater physiopathology, the unit can be deployed to deep diving operations.

The name Vieste comes from a coastal town in region Puglia, whose coat of arms, a rearing lion brandishing a sword, also appears in the crest.

The Crest of the unit has an outer rectangular shape, adorned by a small, neat rope. The figure inside is divided by a diagonal band from top left to bottom right. Top right is the city of Vieste’s lion. On the left is the ship’s bow with the optical badge in the foreground and the name “MHC VIESTE.” The logo is surmounted by the towered crown with rostra that reminds of the origin of the Roman seamanship, to bear witness of the honour and valour conferred to the dukes of naval deeds, conquerors of lands and cities overseas.