Murre and her sister ship USFS Auklet were the first vessels ever constructed for fisheries enforcement duties in Alaska.

[2] Each boat had a 25-horsepower (19 kW) Frisco Standard gasoline engine[2] and comfortable accommodations for two fishery agents and a crew of three.

[2] Ultimately, the BOF signed a contract to build the vessels with the Elliott Bay Yacht and Engine Company of Seattle.

[2] On 25 October 1918, the Canadian passenger liner SS Princess Sophia sank with the loss of all 343 people on board after grounding on Vanderbilt Reef in Lynn Canal near Juneau;[4] it was the worst maritime disaster in the combined history of Alaska and British Columbia.

Murre joined Auklet and the BOF fishery patrol vessel USFS Osprey in a fruitless search for survivors that lasted into November 1918.

[2] In addition to performing their primary duty of fishery patrols in the waters of Southeast Alaska, Auklet and Murre often engaged in other activities.

[2] They assisted the United States Department of War in inspecting active and abandoned fish traps as possible navigational obstructions,[2] and took part in routine stream improvements, which involved the removal of impediments to salmon – such as log jams and beaver dams – as they ascended to their spawning grounds.

[2] While conducting census work for the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Education, Murre struck a rock in Alaska's Keku Strait on 1 April 1920 and was beached to prevent her from sinking.

[2] In February 1928, Murre and Auklet both had water heating systems installed at Juneau,[2] and later in 1928 each boat had her galley enlarged to increase the comfort of crew and passengers.