Final Rule to Implement Modifications to Vessel Monitoring System Reporting Requirements for Gulf of Mexico Federally Permitted Charter and Headboat Vessels

Key Message:

• NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule that will establish Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) reporting requirements for Charter and Headboat Vessels with Gulf reef fish and Gulf coastal migratory pelagic federal permits.

 
When the Rule Will Take Effect:

• Regulations will be effective March 1st, 2022.

 
What This Means:

• The vessel owners or operators must install NOAA Fisheries approved hardware and software with global position system capabilities that, at a minimum, archives vessel position data during a trip and transmits those data to NOAA Fisheries.
• The location positioning portion of the hardware must be installed by a certified installer, permanently affixed to the vessel and turned on at all times, unless a power-down exemption is granted.
• The owner or operator of a vessel with a Gulf for-hire federal Charter/Headboat permit must comply with these reporting requirements no matter where the vessel is fishing.
• A list of approved VMS units can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/rules-and-regulations/approved-vessel-monitoring-system-vms-units-reporting-southeast-hire-integrated

 

Please contact SkyMate at 703-96105800 or sales@SkyMate.com and use Promo Code “ROFFSVMS” to get signed up and activated to take advantage of these special limited time offers and to get more information. 

Or contact ROFFS™ at 321-723-5759 or fishing@roffs.com for more information and directions.