The 65' R/V Fulmar, built by All American Marine, is the sister ship to the highly successful R/V Shearwater working in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary in southern California. This vessel is home ported in Monterey, but serves the adjacent Sanctuaries of Central California.

This catamaran is nearly identical to the Shearwater in layout, although slightly longer to handle a reconfiguration of the Markey oceanographic winch. A state-of-the-art Nitrox dive air system is installed which provides added safety for NOAA divers and scientists. Additional upgrades in electronics and scientific equipment have been installed on this vessel as well.

The Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries are part of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program who's mission is to serve as the trustee for the nation's system of marine protected areas, to conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity, ecological integrity, and cultural legacy.