Justification for Minor Revisions to VMS Powerdown Exemption Request

PRA JUSTIFICATION – VMS POWER DOWN EXEMPTION REQUEST FORM

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0202

The existing form has been revised to accurately reflect current power down regulations, and the format has been improved for easier downloading and reading.

The changes are not expected to increase the public burden to complete the form beyond the five (5) minutes approved for the existing form.

1. Instructions.

1. Added reference to the 72-hour power down provision per 50 CFR 648.9(c)(2)(A). Revised the format slightly in bulletized format to clearly list the 72-hour (out of the water) and existing 30-day (dock/mooring) power down conditions.

2. The 30-day condition was clarified to include those fisheries for which the exemption is authorized by regulation (50 CFR 648.9(c)(2)(B)).

3. Added the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) fax number to add an alternative method for submission of the power down application (50 CFR 648.9(c)(2)(D)(ii)).

4. Added the “Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Team” to the OLE address as this group processes power down applications.

2. Completing the form.

1. No new information collection requirements were added.

2. The format for providing information was changed/improved by directing the user to select one of the two power down options described in the preceding instructions. Option 1 requests the shipyard address which fulfills the existing requirement for the “vessel port location” to provide "sufficient information to determine that the vessel will be out of the water for more than 72 hours," as required by the regulations. Again, to assist the user in selecting the correct option, Option 2 reminds the user of those permits authorized to request this power down exemption.

3. The revised form removes the optional “Reason for VMS Power Down” field in the earlier form and replaces this field with Options 1 and 2, as described above.

3. Note. Removed the current statement allowing a vessel to leave port during the exemption period for purposes other than engaging in fishing. This action is not specifically supported by the regulations.

4. Format. In addition to the improved formatting changes addressed above, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) logo was moved from the center to the top of the page for better visibility of the text. Also, it is now easier for a user to copy the form and fill it out without the distracting logo.