[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8695-8696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3335]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 021307C]


Vessel Monitoring Systems; Approval of Mobile Transceiver Unit

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice of the type-approval of the 
Faria WatchDog 750VMS in the following fisheries: The Fisheries of the 
Northwestern Pacific Ocean, the Fisheries of Alaska, the Fisheries of 
the Pacific Islands, the South Atlantic Rock Shrimp Fishery, and the 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery, the Gulf of Mexico Reef 
Fishery, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National 
Monument.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the list of NOAA-approved Vessel 
Monitoring Systems (VMS) Mobile Transceiver Unit and VMS Mobile 
Communications Service Providers, or to obtain information regarding 
the status of VMS systems being evaluated by NOAA, write to the VMS 
Support Center, NOAA Fisheries Service, Office for Law Enforcement 
(OLE), 8484 Georgia

[[Page 8696]]

Avenue, Suite 415, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or call toll free 888-219-
9228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the status of 
VMS evaluations contact Jonathan Pinkerton, National VMS Program 
Manager by phone: 301-427-2300 or by fax: 301-427-2055.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The WatchDog 750VMS manufactured and sold by 
Faria WatchDog, Inc. has satisfied the requirements for type-approval 
for use in the following United States fisheries:
    The Fisheries of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, the Fisheries of 
Alaska, the Fisheries of the Pacific Islands, the South Atlantic Rock 
Shrimp Fishery, the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery, the Gulf 
of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands 
Marine National Monument.

Faria WatchDog 750VMS

    The transceiver consists of an integrated dual mode GPS/GSM/GPRS/
Iridium Satellite Communicator mounted in the wheelhouse or on a 
console and antennas mounted atop the vessel. The unit is pre-
configured and tested for NOAA Fisheries Service VMS operations. 
Authorized dealers who are listed at http://www.vmstracking.com provide 
satellite commissioning services.
    Automatic GPS position reporting starts after transceiver 
installation and power activation onboard the vessel. The unit is a car 
radio sized transceiver powered by any 9 to 16 VDC power supply. The 
unit can be factory configured for automatic reduced position 
transmissions when the vessel is stationary (i.e., in port) which 
allows for port stays in a reduced power state and without the need for 
unit shut down. The unit restarts normal position transmission 
automatically when the vessel goes to sea.
    The unit has an omni-directional Iridium, GPS, and GSM/GPRS 
antennas, providing operation from 5 degrees above or below the horizon 
anywhere on earth. The GSM/GPRS capability gives the system the 
additional ability to communicate through the Cingular wireless network 
where available.
    A configuration option is available to automatically send daily 
status reports to a private e-mail address. A 2 inch user interface is 
included with this system that displays if the MTU is operating 
properly and can send emergency notification messages to up to four e-
mail addresses and/or telephone numbers. An available option allows 
fishers the ability to send and receive private e-mail utilizing an 
optional touch screen display. A complete list of options is available 
from the VMS provider.
    A vessel owner may purchase the Faria Watchdog 750VMS and the GSM/
Iridium communications service by contacting a Faria Watchdog Inc., 
authorized reseller. Reseller information can be found on the internet 
website at www.vmstracking.com. Alternatively vessel owners may contact 
Mark O'Brien, VP Sales, Faria WatchDog Inc., 385 Norwich-New London 
Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382, 860-848-9271, ext. 1218 office, 860-
608-5875 cell, 860-848-2704 fax, instruments.com">mark@faria-instruments.com e-mail. The 
owner should identify himself or herself as a vessel owner and identify 
which VMS required fishery they wish to participate in.

    Dated: February 21, 2007.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-3335 Filed 2-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S