U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North Atlantic Right Whales
OMB Control No. 0648-0580
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
We are not employing any statistical sampling methods in this collection.
Appendix A. (Table 1, page 72) of NOAA Fisheries’ North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule Assessment reports that the number of unique vessels over 65 feet in length that traveled through active Speed Management Areas. Between 2014-2019 the universe of potential respondents for this whole collection ranged annually from 3,688-4,247.The table below indicates the number of vessels per vessel category as reported in our AIS information. Based on this data, we calculated the potential respondent universe for our two target populations for the new survey and focus group efforts requested in this PRA revision. To calculate the respondent universe of pleasure vessels/large yachts we used the annual totals for all vessel types that might fall under this category (Passenger (Cruise), Fishing, Pleasure, Sailing, Other Passenger, Undetermined, and Other) which ranged annually from 608-1147. To calculate the respondent universe of large ocean-going vessels we used the annual totals for all vessel types that might fall under this category (Tanker, Bulk Carrier, Container, Ro-Ro, General Cargo, Work Vessel, Research, Undetermined, Other, Other Cargo) which ranged annually from 2745-2850.
|
2018-2019 |
2017-2018 |
2016-2017 |
2015-2016 |
2014-2015 |
Tanker |
743 |
707 |
730 |
686 |
671 |
Bulk Carrier |
704 |
742 |
651 |
606 |
700 |
Container |
549 |
555 |
535 |
598 |
601 |
Ro-Ro |
331 |
320 |
315 |
302 |
304 |
General Cargo |
307 |
327 |
367 |
386 |
391 |
Passenger (Cruise) |
38 |
42 |
35 |
38 |
37 |
Fishing |
487 |
530 |
533 |
451 |
187 |
Towing/Pushing |
330 |
355 |
339 |
332 |
338 |
Pleasure |
267 |
292 |
241 |
238 |
192 |
Sailing |
83 |
89 |
97 |
76 |
78 |
Other Passenger |
50 |
56 |
55 |
49 |
26 |
Dredging |
24 |
27 |
23 |
18 |
19 |
Work Vessel |
46 |
37 |
32 |
29 |
26 |
Research |
19 |
22 |
16 |
23 |
22 |
Pilot |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
Pollution Control |
3 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
Undetermined |
73 |
86 |
74 |
73 |
55 |
Other |
56 |
52 |
49 |
41 |
33 |
Other Cargo |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
Total Number |
4117 |
4247 |
4100 |
3955 |
3688 |
The previous information collection approval includes logbook entries, which are required of vessels that employ the safety deviation from the mandatory speed restrictions. The number of respondents needing to use this exception was estimated at 3,263 annually, per the previously approved collection. This request for revision to the current information collection includes a one-time voluntary survey effort of individuals in the vessel community to evaluate the ability and willingness of vessel operators to: (1) Comply with the rule’s mandatory speed restrictions, and (2) cooperate with voluntary speed reduction efforts to protect North Atlantic right whales, which are promoted through NMFS outreach efforts.
The specific method of sampling for the pleasure vessels/large yachts target population will begin by gathering any publicly available mariner owner/operator information (e.g., email or phone number) by contacting local boating businesses, yacht clubs, and harbormasters to solicit boater interest and contact information for boaters who operate in portions of the north Atlantic right whale migration route. We will then create a database of potential respondents that includes all contact information collected. To administer the electronic survey, each person in the database will be contacted and invited to participate. We anticipate that all respondents in this group will have access to electronic devices that will allow them to participate since 85% of Americans own a smart phone and 75% own a computer (Pew Research Center 2020). Additionally, we anticipate that those in our target population will have high annual incomes (due to the high expenses related to owning and operating a pleasure vessel) and Americans with higher incomes are very likely to own a smartphone (96% of Americans with annual incomes of $75,000 or higher own a smartphone in 2021) (Pew Research Center 2020).
We aim to collect 1000 surveys across the range (from Maine-Florida) to ensure that we capture diverse and myriad views, while accounting for the fact that we may receive responses from boaters who do not qualify as respondents for our target population.
The specific method of sampling for large ocean-going vessels target population will be done by distributing invitations to participate in a single focus group. NMFS staff indicated that responses from commercial operators might be more nuanced regarding ability to comply, based on previous engagements with this audience segment at port meetings. Due to these nuances, NOAA NMFS believes that focus groups are the most effective method for reaching this target population. It is understood that focus groups will not allow for a statistically representative sample population of ocean-going vessels, however because we are not employing statistical analysis we feel that the benefits of the nuanced, detailed, and specific information generated from the focus groups is worthwhile and necessary. We plan to conduct 8 focus groups of 5-8 members each in 8 locations near the Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs). Although there are 10 SMAs, 3 of these are located off Massachusetts, so we believe that we can target users of these SMAs by conducting one focus group in Boston. The other anticipated focus group locations are as follows: Narragansett, Rhode Island; Cape May, New Jersey or Wilmington, Delaware; Norfolk, Virginia; Morehead City/Beaufort, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida.
We anticipate a response rate of approximately 80%, based on average online survey response rates and the measures we have taken to boost the response rate (Saleh et al. 2017). On average, online surveys garner a response rate of approximately 20-39%. To benefit our response rate, we have designed our survey to be relatively short (less than 20 minutes to complete), use clear and simple language, and selected question types that are less mentally taxing. Each individual contacted is believed to have an interest in the results of this study, and therefore could have a strong motivation for participating. Additionally, the following tactics to increase response rate will be used: phone calls and emails to potential surveyors found via research of local/regional charters, businesses, retailers, yacht clubs, and other organizations who may have boat operators who meet the criteria for this survey and dissemination of survey information and the survey link via social media posts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), online newsletters, online forums, and printed posters/handouts.
Copies of correspondence include: email and phone call transcript (Supplemental Information A), and survey flyer. Copies of all correspondence are included with this submission.
Information Collection |
Type of Respondent |
#
of Respondents/year |
Safety deviation logbook entry (previously approved) |
Vessel operators needing to use the safety deviation (already approved information collection) |
3263 |
Electronic Survey |
Pleasure Vessels/Yachts |
1000 |
Focus Group |
Commercial Operators |
80 |
Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,
Estimation procedure,
Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,
Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and
Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.
We will not be conducting any statistical analyses on collected information. The research design that we propose to use borrows from the fields of marketing (i.e., Theory of Planned Behavior) and environmental psychology to encourage responses that can illuminate why people choose to comply or not with speed rules (Kollmuss and Agyeman 2002; O’Bryhim and Parsons 2015; Drymon and Scyphers 2017; Acuña-Marrero et al. 2018; Montes et al. 2018). While our data collection instrument differs between the target audiences, the design of each is rooted in this methodology.
Neither target population will employ stratified sampling.
The data collected will not be used for statistical analyses. The collected data will be inspected, transformed, and grouped in order to inform and improve messaging of educational outreach materials regarding collisions between the North Atlantic Right Whale and vessels. Due to the intended use of the data, we do not rely on a statistically rigorous sample size in order to achieve study goals.
In order to maximize the quality of the data collected, we will employ steps to address potential non-response issues. These include contacting participants prior to distribution of data collection materials through phone calls and emails to potential surveyors found via research of local/regional charters, businesses, retailers, yacht clubs, and other organizations who may have boat operators who meet the criteria for this survey and dissemination of survey information and the survey link via social media posts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), online newsletters, online forums, and printed posters/handouts.
We have one test planned for each target population and corresponding data collection method. For pleasure vessels/large yachts (electronic survey method), we will conduct a pilot survey with 5-9 purposely chosen respondents who fit the desired demographic of our sample population and who agree to take the survey solely to provide comments and feedback. For large-ocean going vessels (focus group method), we will begin by piloting a focus group with fewer than 10 people by sending drafts of topics and questions to a sample of our target audience. We will revise topics and questions based on feedback from this pilot. Copies of each test are included in this submission (see Final Evaluation Report).
The following individuals have contributed or commented on the study design and/or data collection materials.
Amy Whitt: [email protected], 870-919-2636
Lenisa Blair: [email protected], 727-510-7939
Rebecca Ingram: [email protected], 808-342-1494
Jean Higgins: [email protected], 978-675-5131
Caroline Good: [email protected], 301-427-8445
Eric Patterson, [email protected]
,
301-427-8415
Peter Kelliher, [email protected],
978-282-8474
Barb Zoodsma [email protected],
904-321-2806
Jamie
Brennan,
[email protected]
Rosemary Abbitt, [email protected]
,
434-249-5892
Supplemental Information
A. Copy of email and phone transcript used to contact potential participants.
Large whales are in danger from unintentional boat strikes along the US east coast. Azura is conducting a study to better understand boater knowledge and impressions of programs designed to reduce the likelihood of these collisions. This information will help us to improve the effectiveness of these programs and recognize where additional public outreach is needed. We hope to disseminate the survey during summer 2021.
As for now, we are looking for:
Individuals interested in taking a pilot survey to test the quality and clarity of the survey. These individuals have currently or in the past have operated a vessel within 20 nautical miles of New York, New York and/or Savannah, Georgia. They don’t necessarily need to have operated a vessel 35 foot but would be great if they had. We would need the following information so that we can disseminate a link to the online survey when it’s available, which should be the last week of April.
a. Email Address
b. Phone Number to text the survey link if they would prefer that to email.
Individuals interested in taking the survey who currently or in the past have operated a 35 foot or larger vessel within 20 nautical miles of New York, New York and/or Savannah, Georgia. We would need the following information so that we can disseminate a link to the online survey when it’s available:
Email Address
Phone Number to text the survey link, if they would prefer that to email.
Businesses and individuals that would be willing to disseminate the survey announcement to people who currently or in the past have operated a 35 foot or larger vessel within 20 nautical miles New York, New York and/or Savannah, Georgia. Here are some possible ways that you can help us get the survey information out to the public.
Social Media Posting (e.g., post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc. accounts)
Phone calls/Personal conversation
Posters/signs at a place of business
We would need the business or individuals’ email address or other contact information so that we can send the survey announcement to them when it’s ready to go. We are hoping to reach one thousand boaters who operate in these waters; so, if possible, we would appreciate a rough estimate of the number of people that might be reached by each method you are willing to use. For example, if you agree to post the survey announcement to your business’ Facebook page, then please let us know how many followers your page has so we have an idea of how many people may see this announcement.
B. Copy of Survey Flyer
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2021-10-04 |