VMS Installation and Activation Checklist (currently no burden for this form)

OMB #0648-0372
Expires

Vessel Monitoring Systems Installation and Activation Checklist
for the Highly Migratory Species Pelagic Longline Fisheries
INSTRUCTIONS: This Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Installation and Activation Checklist for
the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Pelagic Longline Fisheries is provided by the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) pursuant to the regulatory requirements of 50 C.F.R. ' 635.69(d). The
vessel owner or operator must follow the indicated procedures when installing or re-installing an
NMFS-approved VMS unit.
This checklist is applicable for the listed VMS providers currently approved for use in the HMS
fisheries. Revised checklists will be provided if additional VMS providers are approved. Follow the
particular checklist steps for the communications service and transmitting unit selected by the vessel
owner. The vessel owner is responsible for all installation and activation costs. After completion of
the installation and activation, the owner may confirm that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) is receiving position reports by calling the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
(OLE) in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 727-570-5344, or by sending email to [email protected].

INSTALLATION AND ACTIVATION CHECKLIST
1. Consult the “Vessel Monitoring System; List of Approved Mobile Transmitting Units and
Communications Service Providers,” published as a Notice in the Federal Register at 68 Fed.
Reg. 11,534 (published 3/11/03), for the list of approved transmitting units and communications
service providers. This was supplemented by a notice published on May 1, 2003 (68 Fed. Reg.
23,285). The list of approved units/providers is available from NMFS by calling 727-570-5344 or
by obtaining the Federal Register notice from archived records on the internet at :
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
2. If you already have an INMARSAT-C transmitting unit, continue to the next step. If not, go to
Step 4.
3. If you have an INMARSAT-C transmitting unit that is the same make and model as the approved
units, in order to qualify this unit for use in VMS, ensure the unit is functionally equivalent to the
approved unit.
•

This requires you to upgrade the version of software and firmware for the unit, and/or
reconfigure the message settings (unit parameters and menu options).

•

Contact the VMS provider for your make and model and upgrade your unit. After the
provider performs the upgrade, go to Step 11. If you do not get an upgrade, continue to the
next step.
4. Purchase new equipment and services for VMS.
•

Contact the entity(s) identified in the Notice under “VMS PROVIDER ADDRESSES” for
information.

•

Identify yourself to the providers as participating in the “Highly Migratory Species VMS” to
obtain the product information, pricing, unit configuration, and service options for VMS.
5. Choose INMARSAT-C providers: one for the transmitting unit, and one for communications
services.
•

The NOAA VMS is designed so that the fisherman has free choice of any combination of
type-approved INMARSAT-C options.

•

Do the next two steps, Steps 6 and 7, in any order; then go to Step 8.

6. Choose the INMARSAT-C communications service provider you prefer and establish a service
contract.
•

This includes applying for subscriber services, establishing credit, and setting up a billing
account for ongoing communications charges.

•

If applicable, record the important, identifying information, such as a user name and
password to access your private position information and your transmitting unit, and the
INMARSAT-C email address of your unit.
7. Choose the INMARSAT-C transmitting unit you prefer.
•

If you purchase a Thrane & Thrane TT3022D or TT3026, request part number “NMFS”.

•

If you purchase a Trimble Galaxy TNL7005, request part number P/N 17760-45. Or, if you
purchase a Trimble Galaxy Courier TNL8005, request P/N 30090-45.

•

The Thrane & Thrane provider initially will mail you only the form known as the INMARSAT
Service Activation Request Form (SARF).

•

The Trimble manufacturer will enclose the SARF, together with its shipment of a unit that has
been appropriately configured for VMS message settings.
8. Register your transmitting unit for INMARSAT-C use, following these steps.
•

Fill out the SARF form referred to in the above step.

•

Fax or mail the SARF to the “routing organization” indicated on the form for U.S.-flagged
vessels.
Enclose proof of the fishing vessel=s “ship radio license” (copy of FCC Form 506) with the
SARF.

•
•

When the SARF is processed, you will be given an “INMARSAT Number” (also known as
“IMN” or “Mobile Number”).

•

This number uniquely identifies your unit within the INMARSAT system, similar to a
telephone number. Record this number.
9. If you purchased a Thrane & Thrane unit, go to the next step. If you purchased a Trimble unit,
go to Step 11.
10. Contact your Thrane & Thrane provider and inform him of your INMARSAT Number and the
communications service provider company name you have chosen (in Step 6).
•

The Thrane & Thrane provider will configure the unit to be ready for VMS (VMS message
settings and satellite operations), and will then ship the unit.
11. Install the transmitting unit and antenna according to the installation instructions contained in the
manual supplied by the manufacturer, or contact a marine electronics specialist or dealer to
install the unit. (Also see Step 12.)
12. Run the cable connecting the unit (or, for the TT3026M-NMFS, the terminating end of the cable)
in the wheelhouse to the antenna mounted outside, through a solid, immovable and permanent
part of the vessel such as a bulkhead, deck, or console.
13. Turn on the power to the vessel transceiver.
• If you purchased a Trimble unit, continue to the next step. If not, go to Step 15.
14. In order to configure the Trimble unit for satellite operations, contact your communications
service provider.
•

Have Customer Service download pre-determined NMFS position report and broadcast
commands (“DNIDs”) from its control center to the vessel transceiver via satellite. These
commands will set up and start the VMS position reporting between your INMARSAT
Number and NOAA OLE.

•

Make sure the Customer Service performs this step twice, for each of INMARSAT Ocean
Areas, Atlantic East and Atlantic West.

15. Confirm, by phone, with your communications service provider’s Customer Service that periodic
position reports are now automatically being sent to NOAA OLE.
16. The vessel owner must sign the statement certifying compliance with the installation procedures
of the above steps, then submit the certified checklist to the Office for Law Enforcement (OLE),
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North,
Suite 130, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702.

Vessel Name:______________________________ HMS Permit Number:__________
VMS Transmitting Unit Manufacturer:_________________________________
VMS Communications Service Provider:_____________________________
Certification:
In accordance with 50 C.F.R. ' 635.69(d), as the owner of a vessel participating in the Highly
Migratory Species Pelagic Longline Fisheries, I hereby certify that the VMS system on my vessel
has been installed in compliance with the applicable procedures of this checklist.
Vessel Owner Name:____________________________________________________
Vessel Owner Signature:___________________________ Date:_________________

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PL 104-13) and the Privacy Act of 1974 (PL 93-579), you are advised that disclosure of the
information requested in the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) checklist is mandatory for the purpose of managing the Atlantic Pelagic Longline fishery. The
checklist information is used to ensure proper operation of the VMS unit. Reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 4 hours per
installation, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the
information. The burden for submission of this checklist is estimated at 5 minutes per response. Confidentiality of the information provided will be treated in
accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100. It is the policy of the National Marine Fisheries Service not to release confidential data, other than in
aggregate form, as the MSA protects the confidentiality of those submitting data. Whenever data are requested, the NMFS ensures that information identifying
the pecuniary business activity of a particular individual is not identified. This information collection has been issued a valid OMB control number, and is
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act and penalties associated with non-compliance. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or
suggestions for reducing this burden to: NMFS, Office of Law Enforcement, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 415, Silver Spring, MD 20910.