US NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmosphere Administration) Research vessel going past Fort Macon Atlantic Beach NC towards Morehead City NC form the Atlantic Ocean.
She started life as the US Navy torpedo retriever AGATE PASS (YTT 12) having been built in Amelia Louisiana and placed in service in 1991. Surplus to their needs due to the draw down after the end of the cold war, the US Navy removed her from service in 1999 and transferred her ownership to the NOAA in 2001. Refurbished by them, she was recommissioned in 2004 and name for a long time scientist and administrator of the service who died in 2000.
She supports various research projects along the US East Coast and the Caribbean. Capabilities include support of ROVs (Remote Operated Vehicles), diving support, shallow water and bottom surveying, and use of trawl drawn monitoring systems. She is based in Charleston SC and has a core crew of 15-20 and can support over 30 other scientists and technicians. She has a marine diesel that can drive her at 12 knots max, along with side thrusters and a Z-drive for precision work.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/14/5012.htm