[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63445-63446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26071]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XW10


Vessel Monitoring Systems; Approved Mobile Transmitting Units and 
Communications Service Providers for Use in the Fisheries of the 
Western and Central Pacific

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

ACTION: Notice of vessel monitoring systems; type-approval.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice of vessel monitoring systems 
(VMS) approved by NOAA for use by vessels participating in the Western 
and Central Pacific 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, please contact the VMS Support Center at (phone) 888-219-
9228, (fax) 301-427-0049, or write to NOAA Fisheries Office for Law 
Enforcement (OLE), VMS Support Center, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 415, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. For more addresses regarding approved VMS, see 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section under the heading ``VMS Provider 
Addresses.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the status of 
VMS provider evaluations, contact Kelly Spalding, VMS Management 
Analyst, 301-427-2300; (fax) 301-427-0049. For questions regarding the 
Western and Central Pacific Fishery VMS requirement, contact Terry 
Boone, Pacific Islands Division VMS Program Manager, [email protected], 
808-203-2503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

VMS Mobile Transceiver Units

Faria WatchDog 750VMS With VTERM

    The Faria WatchDog 750VMS with VTERM transceiver consists of an 
integrated dual model GPS/GSM/GPRS/Iridium Satellite Communicator or a 
single mode GPS/Iridium Satellite Communicator mounted in the 
wheelhouse and antennas mounted atop the vessel. The Faria VTERM is a 
7-inch color touch screen display and provides the capability (if so 
configured) to process electronic forms, declarations, and to send e-
mail. The unit is pre-configured and tested for NOAA Fisheries Service 
VMS Operations.
    Automatic GPS position reporting starts after transceiver 
installation and power activation onboard the vessel. The unit is a 
car-radio-sized transceiver powered by a 9.5 to 36 VDC power supply. 
The unit can be 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 Faria WatchDog 750VMS has 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 
(if activated) gives the system the additional ability to communicate 
through the AT&T GPRS wireless network where available.
    A configuration option is available to automatically send daily 
status reports to a private e-mail address and position reports to a 
secure Web site where the data is provided on a map and in tabular 
form. A 2-inch LCD user interface is also included with this system 
that displays if the MTU is operating properly and can send emergency 
notification

[[Page 63446]]

messages to up to four e-mail addresses and/or telephone numbers. A 
complete list of options is available from the VMS provider.
    A vessel owner may purchase this system by contacting the entity 
identified in this notice under the heading ``VMS Provider Addresses.'' 
The owner should identify himself or herself as a vessel owner issued a 
permit to operate in the Western and Central Pacific Fishery so the 
transceiver set can be properly configured.

The Thrane & Thrane Sailor (TT-3026D) Gold VMS

    The TT-3026D Gold VMS features an integrated GPS/Inmarsat-C unit. 
The unit is factory pre-configured for NMFS VMS operations (non-Global 
Maritime Distress & Safety System (non-GMDSS)).The TT-3026D Gold VMS 
includes a marine-grade monitor with keyboard and integrated mouse. 
Satellite commissioning services are provided by GMPCS 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 (if so configured) of two-way 
communications to send electronic 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.
    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 GMPCS when completing this 
form.
    GMPCS personnel will perform the following services before 
shipment: (1) Configure the transceiver according to OLE specifications 
for vessels issued permits to operate in the Western and Central 
Pacific Fishery; (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.
    A vessel owner may purchase this system by contacting the entity 
identified in this notice under the heading ``VMS Provider Addresses.'' 
The owner should identify himself or herself as a vessel owner issued a 
permit to operate in the Western and Central Pacific Fishery so the 
transceiver set can be properly configured.

CLS America Thorium VMS TST-100

    The approved configuration consists of the CLS America Thorium VMS 
TST-100 Transceiver and the Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) version 1.0. 
The DTE software is version 1.0. The CLS Thorium VMS unit and the DTE 
must be bundled with Halios communications (e-mail, eforms) and 
position services. This configuration is enabled through the Iridium 
Short Burst Data (SBD) service, and is accessed through the CLS Iridium 
Web Portal (IWP) or machine-to-machine interface (IWS).
    A vessel owner may purchase this system by contacting the entity 
identified in this notice under the heading ``VMS Provider Addresses.'' 
The owner should identify himself or herself as a vessel owner issued a 
permit to operate in the Western and Central Pacific Fishery so the 
transceiver set can be properly configured.

Communications Service Providers

    OLE has approved the below-listed communications service providers 
for the Western and Central Pacific Fishery: GSM/Iridium for Faria 
Watchdog 750VMS with VTERM; Stratos Global and Vizada satellite 
communications services for the Thrane and Thrane Sailor (TT-3026D) 
Gold VMS; and Halios/Iridium for the CLS America Thorium TST-100 VMS.
    The owner must confirm the operation and communications service to 
ensure that position reports are automatically sent to and received by 
OLE before leaving on a fishing trip under VMS. OLE does not regard the 
fishing vessel as being in compliance until position reports are 
automatically received. For confirmation purposes, contact the VMS 
support center at 888-219-9228 or [email protected].

Faria GSM/Iridium Service

    The Faria Watchdog GSM/Iridium Service is a dual mode GSM/GPRS and 
Iridium platform to ensure that connections are highly reliable, near 
real time and cost effective. The primary channel is the GSM/GPRS (if 
activated) and the secondary channel is Iridium.

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 
Stratos Global or Vizada have on record) the following identifying 
information: (a) Signed and dated receipts and contracts; (b) 
transceiver serial number; (c) Vizada or Stratos Global customer 
number, user name and password; (d) e-mail address of transceiver; (e) 
Inmarsat identification number; (f) owner name; (g) vessel name; (h) 
vessel documentation or registration number; and (i) mobile earth 
station license (FCC license).

CLS America Halios/Iridium Service

    Thorium VMS TST-100 VMS must be bundled with Halios communications 
(e-mail, eforms) and position services, enabled through the (SBD) 
service, and accessed through the CLS (IWP) or (IWS).

VMS Provider Addresses

    For Faria Watchdog/Iridium information, contact Faria WatchDog 
Inc., P.O. Box 486, Uncasville, CT 06382, [email protected]; (860) 
608-5875; (fax): (860) 848-9005.
    For Thrane & Thrane Sailor 3026D Gold VMS, Stratos Global or Vizada 
information contact GMPCS Personal Communications Inc., 1501 Green Rd., 
Suite A-B, Pompano Beach, FL 33064; US.com">vms@GMPCS-US.com; (954) 973-3100; 
(fax): (954) 973-4800.
    For CLS America Thorium VMS TSTS-100 and Halios/Iridium 
information, contact CLS America, Inc., 1441 McCormick Drive, Suite 
1050, Largo, MD 20774; [email protected]; (301) 925-4411; 
(fax): (301) 925-8995.

    Dated: October 12, 2010.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-26071 Filed 10-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P