VMS Certification Form

NMFS VESSEL MONITORING SYSTEM (VMS) PROGRAM
GREATER ATLANTIC REGION
FISHING VESSEL NAME: _______________________________________________________________
NMFS FISHERIES PERMIT NUMBER: ___________________________________________________
COAST GUARD DOCUMENTATION OR STATE REGISTRATION NUMBER: ______________________
VMS MONITORING FOR (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY):
SCALLOP

MULTISPECIES

MONKFISH

HERRING

SURFCLAM/OCEAN QUAHOG

SQUID/MACKEREL

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As required by 50 CFR 648.10(e)(1)(ii) and (iii), the vessel owner must confirm the VMS unit operation
and communications service to NMFS by calling the Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), Northeast
Division, at (978) 281-9213. This is necessary to ensure that position reports (and an activity
declaration) are automatically sent to and received by NMFS OLE. Your vessel is not regarded as
meeting the VMS requirements until connectivity with NMFS OLE is verified.
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PERMIT HOLDER: PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING REQUESTED INFORMATION:
I CERTIFY THAT THE SUBJECT FISHING VESSEL HAS THE FOLLOWING NMFS GREATER ATLANTIC
REGION (GAR)-APPROVED VMS UNIT:
MCMURDO ____ SKYMATE ____ NETWORK INNOVATIONS ____ WOODS HOLE GROUP ____
1. INSTALLING DEALER NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. DATE OF VESSEL INSTALLATION: ___________________________________________________
3. MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER OF VMS UNIT: __________________________________________
4. VMS E-MAIL ADDRESS OF VESSEL: __________________________________________________
5. IS THE VMS UNIT ACTIVATED ON THE VESSEL WITH THE CURRENT GAR VMS SOFTWARE
VERSION?
 YES  NO
6. IS THE VMS UNIT READY TO RECEIVE AND SEND MESSAGES, INCLUDING GAR FORMS?
 YES  NO
7. IS THE VESSEL OWNER TRAINED ON THE USE OF THE VMS UNIT BY THE VMS VENDOR?
 YES  NO

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I understand that the VMS unit must remain connected to the VMS vendor listed above at all times.
I also understand that I am subject to the provisions and requirements of 50 CFR §648.9 AND §648.10
regarding the use of VMS. I have received instructions from the VMS vendor listed above and
understand how to operate the VMS unit.
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PERMIT HOLDER’S NAME (printed): _____________________________________________________
PERMIT HOLDER’S SIGNATURE: ______________________________ DATE: ___________________
SEND THIS ORIGINAL COMPLETED FORM TO:
NOAA FISHERIES
OFFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
NORTHEAST DIVISION
55 GREAT REPUBLIC DRIVE
GLOUCESTER, MA 01930
ATTN: VMS PROGRAM
or, fax to 1-978-281-9317
OMB Control No. 0648-0202
Expiration Date: 08/31/2019

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or suggestions for reducing this burden to: John K.
Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (formerly, Northeast
Regional Office), NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2276; and to Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.
The information will be used in the management of the Atlantic sea scallop, Northeast multispecies,
monkfish, herring, surfclam/ocean quahog, and squid/mackerel fisheries by ensuring compliance
with VMS regulations listed under 50 CFR §648.9 and §648.10 (b). Notwithstanding any other
provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
Control Number. Any information submitted by any person to obtain a permit is not confidential,
and may be disclosed upon request.