The Center for Marine Science (CMS) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is adding an All American Marine-made, 73-foot research vessel to its fleet.  

“This vessel will provide our faculty, students and partners with a state-of-the-art platform to explore and study the marine environment, contributing significantly to our mission of advancing marine science and promoting stewardship of coastal environments,” said CMS Executive Director Ken Halanych in a news release. “Our partnership with All American Marine is a strategic step forward in enhancing our research and educational capabilities.” 

The vessel was designed by Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The new twin-engine vessel will measure 73 feet long and 26.7 feet in beam.

According to the release, the propeller-driven vessel is engineered to serve as a versatile research platform, capable of supporting an array of innovative scientific missions.  

“The vessel will be the largest piece of interdisciplinary research equipment at the university and will support geophysical surveys (sand, offshore energy), oceanographic instrumentation deployment (CORMP buoys, gliders), fishery surveys, research diving, biological studies and community outreach programs,” said CMS Associate Director of Marine Operations Jay Styron in the release. “

Styron said the vessel will be outfitted with a dry lab, a wet lab, 10 bunks, a galley, two shower/heads, a deck crane, an A-frame 5,000-pound cap, acoustic Doppler current profilers, a multibeam sonar system and more.

“The acquisition of a new research vessel marks a major advancement for our research,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs James J. Winebrake in the release.

UNCW anticipates receiving the vessel in spring 2026, according to the release.