[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 135 (Friday, July 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40080-40081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6253]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 070506C]


Vessel Monitoring Systems; Approved Mobile Transmitting Unit for 
Vessels Issued Permits to Operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands 
Marine National Monument

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

ACTION: Notice of approved vessel monitoring system.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice of vessel monitoring systems 
(VMS) approved by NOAA for use by vessels issued permits to operate in 
the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument 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 
Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 415, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910, fax 301-427-0049. For more addresses regarding 
approved VMS, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, under the 
heading ``VMS Provider Address''.

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, and status of 
evaluations, contact Jonathan Pinkerton, National VMS Program Manager, 
phone 301-427-2300; fax 301-427-0049. The public may acquire this 
notice, installation/activation checklists, and relevant updates by 
calling the VMS support center, phone 888-219-9228, fax 301-427-0049.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. VMS Mobile Transceiver Unit

Thrane & Thrane Sailor 3026D Gold VMS

    The Thrane & Thrane Sailor 3026D Gold VMS (TT-3026D) has been found 
to meet the minimum technical requirements for vessels issued permits 
to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National 
Monument. The address for the Thrane & Thrane distributor contact is 
provided in this notice under the heading VMS Provider Address.
    The TT-3026D Gold VMS features an integrated GPS/Inmarsat-C unit 
and a marine grade monitor with keyboard and integrated mouse. The unit 
is factory pre-configured for NMFS VMS operations (non-Global Maritime 
Distress & Safety System (non-GMDSS)). Satellite commissioning services 
are provided by Thrane & Thrane personnel.
    Automatic GPS position reporting starts after transceiver 
installation and power activation onboard the vessel. The unit is an 
integrated transceiver/antenna/GPS design using a floating 10 to 32 VDC 
power supply. The unit is configured for automatic reduced position 
transmissions when the vessel is stationary (i.e., in port). It allows 
for port stays without power drain or power shut down. The unit 
restarts normal position transmission automatically when the vessel 
goes to sea.
    The TT-3026D provides operation down to +/-15 degree angles. The 
unit has the capability of two-way

[[Page 40081]]

communications to send formatted forms and to receive e-mail and other 
messages. A configuration option is available to automatically send 
position reports to a private address, such as a fleet management 
company.
    A vessel owner may purchase this system by contacting the entity 
identified in this notice under the heading ``VMS Provider Address''. 
The owner should identify himself or herself as a vessel owner issued a 
permit to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National 
Monument, so the transceiver set can be properly configured. To use the 
TT-3026D the vessel owner will need to establish an Inmarsat-C system 
use contract with an approved Inmarsat-C communications service 
provider. The owner will be required to complete the Inmarsat-C 
``Registration for Service Activation for Maritime Mobile Earth 
Station.'' The owner should consult with Thrane & Thrane when 
completing this form.
    Thrane & Thrane personnel will perform the following services 
before shipment: (1) configure the transceiver according to OLE 
specifications for vessels issued permits to operate in the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument; (2) download 
the predetermined NMFS position reporting and broadcast command 
identification numbers into the unit; (3) test the unit to ensure 
operation when installation has been completed on the vessel; and (4) 
forward the Inmarsat service provider and the transceiver identifying 
information to OLE.

II. Inmarsat-C Communications Providers

    It is recommended, for vendor warranty and customer service 
purposes, that the vessel owner keep for his or her records and that 
Telenor and Xantic have on record the following identifying 
information: (1) Signed and dated receipts and contracts; (2) 
transceiver serial number; 3) Telenor or Xantic customer number, user 
name and password; (4) e-mail address of transceiver; (5) Inmarsat 
identification number; (6) owner name; (7) vessel name; (8) vessel 
documentation or registration number; and (9) mobile earth station 
license (FCC license).
    The OLE will provide an installation and activation checklist that 
the vessel owner must follow. The vessel owner must sign a statement on 
the checklist certifying compliance with the installation procedures 
and return the checklist to OLE. Installation can be performed by 
experienced crew or by an electronics specialist, and the installation 
cost is paid by the owner.
    The owner may confirm the TT-3026D operation and communications 
service to ensure that position reports are automatically sent to and 
received by OLE before leaving on a trip under VMS. The OLE does not 
regard the vessel as meeting requirements until position reports are 
automatically received. For confirmation purposes, contact the NOAA 
Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 415, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 888-219-9228, fax 301-427-0049.

Telenor Satellite Services

    Inmarsat-C is a store-and-forward data messaging service. Inmarsat-
C allows users to send and receive information virtually anywhere in 
the world, on land, at sea, and in the air. Inmarsat-C supports a wide 
variety of applications including Internet, e-mail, position and 
weather reporting, a free daily news service, and remote equipment 
monitoring and control. Mariners can use Inmarsat-C free of charge to 
send critical safety at sea messages as part of the U.S. Coast Guard's 
Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system and of the NOAA 
Shipboard Environmental Acquisition System programs. Telenor Vessel 
Monitoring System Services is being sold through Thrane & Thrane, Inc. 
For the Thrane & Thrane and Telenor addresses, look inside this notice 
under the heading ``VMS Provider Address''.

Xantic

    Xantic is a provider Vessel Monitoring Services to the maritime 
industry. By installing an approved OLE Inmarsat-C transceiver on the 
vessel, vessels can send and receive e-mail, to and from land, while 
the transceiver automatically sends vessel position reports to OLE, and 
is fully compliant with the International Coast Guard Search and Rescue 
Centers. Xantic Vessel Monitoring System Services are being sold 
through Thrane & Thrane, Inc. For the Thrane & Thrane and Xantic 
addresses, look in this notice under the heading ``VMS Provider 
Address''.
    For Telenor and Xantic, Thrane & Thrane customer service supports 
the security and privacy of vessel accounts and messages with the 
following: (a) password authentication for vessel owners or agents and 
for OLE to prevent unauthorized changes or inquiries; and (b) 
separation of private messages from OLE messages. (OLE requires VMS-
related position reports, only.)
    Billing is separated between accounts for the vessel owner and the 
OLE. VMS position reports and vessel-initiated messaging are paid for 
by the vessel owner. Messaging initiated from OLE operations center is 
paid for by NOAA.
    Thrane & Thrane provides customer service for Telenor and Xantic 
users to support and establish two-way transmission of transceiver unit 
configuration commands between the transceiver and land-based control 
centers. This supports OLE's message needs and, optionally, the crew's 
private message needs.
    The vessel owner can configure automatic position reports to be 
sent to a private address, such as to a fleet management company.
    Vessel owners wishing to use Telenor or Xantic services will need 
to purchase an Inmarsat-C transceiver approved for vessels issued 
permits to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National 
Monument. The owner will need to complete an Inmarsat-C system use 
contract with Telenor or Xantic, including a mobile earth station 
license (FCC requirement). The transceiver will need to be commissioned 
with Inmarsat according to Telenor or Xantic's instructions. The owner 
should refer to and follow the configuration, installation, and service 
activation procedures for the specific transceiver purchased.

III. VMS Provider Address

    For TT-3026D, Telenor, or Xantic information contact Ronald 
Lockerby, Marine Products, Thrane & Thrane , Inc., 509 Viking Drive, 
Suite K, L & M, Virginia Beach, VA 23452; voice: 757-463-9557; fax: 
757-463-9581, e-mail: [email protected]; website: http://www.landseasystems.com.

    Dated: July 11, 2006.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-6253 Filed 7-12-06; 1:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S