The Ocean Science Summit, sponsored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and a number of other organizations in late May 2008, included a number of "hands-on" experiences with marine research. I chose to go out on NOAA's R/V Fulmar, a 67' catamaran research vessel. The Fulmar sailed out to Portuguese Ledge and dropped a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) overboard to explore the ledge. After the ROV was retrieved, we had a close encounter with a humpback whale which apparently had an itchy back and thought the Fulmar would be a good scratching post.