[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 3275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-649]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 120605B]


Vessel Monitoring Systems; Additional Approved Mobile 
Transmitting Units for Use in the Fisheries Off the West Coast States 
and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; additional approval of vessel monitoring systems.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice of vessel monitoring systems 
(VMS) approved by NOAA for use by vessels participating in the Pacific 
Coast Groundfish Fishery and sets forth relevant features of the VMS.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the list of NOAA-approved VMS mobile 
transmitting units and NOAA-approved VMS communications service 
providers, or information regarding the status of VMS systems being 
evaluated by NOAA for approval, write to NOAA Fisheries Office for Law 
Enforcement (OLE), 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 415, Silver Spring, MD 
20910.
    To submit a completed and signed checklist, mail or fax it to NOAA 
Enforcement, 7600 Sand Point Way, Seattle, WA 98115, fax 206-526-6528. 
For more addresses regarding approved VMS, see the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section, under the heading VMS Provider Addresses. The 
public may acquire this notice, installation checklist, and relevant 
updates by calling 301-427-2300.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For current listing information 
contact Mark Oswell, Outreach Specialist, phone 301-427-2300, fax 301-
427-2055. For questions regarding VMS installation, activation 
checklists, and status of evaluations, contact Jonathan Pinkerton, 
National VMS Program Manager, phone 301-427-2300; fax 301-427-2055. For 
questions regarding the checklist, contact Joe Albert, Northwest 
Divisional VMS Program Manager, NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, 
Northwest Division, phone 206-526-6135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. VMS Mobile Transceiver Units

BOATRACS - Fisheries Mobile Communications Terminal with GPS

    The Boatracs satellite communications VMS transmitting unit that 
meets the minimum technical requirements for the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery is the BOATRACS - FMTC/G. The address for the 
Boatracs distributor is provided under the heading VMS Provider 
Addresses.
    The FMTC/G is an integrated GPS two-way satellite communications 
system, consisting of two major hardware components, the Mobile 
Communication Transceiver (MCT) and the Enhanced Display Unit (EDU). 
The MCT contains the antenna and integrated GPS that communicates with 
the satellite and contains the operating circuitry and memory. The EDU 
is a shock and splash-resistant display and keyboard unit consisting 
of, a liquid crystal display, keyboard, with adjustable contrast, 
brightness, and audible alerts. A backlight illuminates the display for 
night view. The EDU has message waiting, no signal, and audible message 
received indicators.
    The MCT is 6.7 inches high by 11.4 inches wide and weighs 11 
pounds. The base of the unit is 6.595 inches in diameter. The MCT draws 
approximately 2.3 amps of current from the power supply while 
transmitting and 1.2 amps when the vessel is idle.
    The EDU is a hardened and splash proof keyboard display unit with a 
15-line X 40-character screen that allows for both text and graphics. 
It is 12.72 inches wide by 9.3 inches long by 2.21 inches in depth, and 
weighs 3 pounds and is holster-mounted in the cabin.

II. Satellite Communication Services

    The FMTC/G utilizes KU band geostationary satellite to provide two-
way date services. The data satellite transmits and receives all two-
way message traffic between the vessel and NMFS, Shore Office, Network 
Operations Center or third party. The Satellite is located 22,300 miles 
over the equator at 103[deg] W. long. (south of Florida).
    Boatracs operates a redundant NOC. This facility is online 24 hours 
a day, 365 days a year, including holidays. Customer service 
representatives are available to relay messages and provide customer 
service. The NOC is also the facility that allows for automatic boat-
to-boat, boat-to-e-mail, boat-to-fax, and e-mail-to-boat service. Data 
on demand and information services are also provided by the NOC.
    Boatracs contracts their satellite communication services from 
QUALCOMM Corporation of California. QUALCOMM offers 24x7, 365 days a 
year network support, and operates fully redundant earth stations in 
California and Nevada.
    VMS units must be installed in accordance with vendor instructions 
and specifications. All installation costs are paid by the owner. The 
vessel owner is required to fax or mail the Activation Fax directly to 
NOAA Enforcement, 7600 Sand Point Way, Seattle, WA 98115, fax 206-526-
6528.
    The owner must confirm the FMTC/G operation and communications 
service to ensure that position reports are automatically sent to and 
received by OLE before leaving on their first fishing trip requiring 
VMS. OLE does not regard the fishing vessel as meeting the requirements 
until position reports are automatically received. For confirmation 
purposes, owners must contact the NOAA Enforcement, 7600 Sand Point 
Way, Seattle, WA 98115, voice 206-526-6135, fax 206-526-6528.

III. VMS Provider Addresses

    Boatracs corporate office address is 9155 Brown Deer Rd, Suite 8, 
San Diego, CA. 92121. The primary point of contact is Lauri Paul, 
Fisheries Market Segment Executive, e-mail [email protected], direct 
telephone number (858)458-8113, and toll free (877)468-8722 ext 113. 
The alternate contact is David Brandos, e-mail [email protected], 
direct telephone number (858)458-8102, and toll free (877)468-8722 ext 
102.

    Dated: January 13, 2006.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-649 Filed 1-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S