VMS Power Down Exemption Request

Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Power Down Exemption Request
Regulations implementing the requirements for the vessel monitoring system (VMS) within the NMFS Greater
Atlantic Region allow for vessels to be exempt from the requirement to transmit the vessel’s location at all times if
one or more of the following conditions are met:
(1)

The vessel will be continuously out of the water for more than 72 consecutive hours.

(2) A vessel with a valid multispecies limited access, monkfish category F (during the Offshore Fishery
Program Season), scallop limited access, mackerel limited access, surfclam/ocean quahog, herring, longfin
squid moratorium (1A, 1B), illex squid moratorium or butterfish moratorium permit remains at the
dock/mooring and does not engage in any fisheries for a minimum period of 30 consecutive days.
Vessel owners or operators may sign out of the VMS program by first obtaining a VMS ‘Letter of Exemption’ from
the Regional Administrator. To obtain this exemption letter, fill out the appropriate information below and mail or
fax (978-281-9317) this form to: National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Law Enforcement (OLE),
VMS Team, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA, 01930.
Vessel: __________________________________ Permit # ________________ Official # ________________
Exemption Period: Date VMS to be Turned Off: ____________; Date VMS to be Turned On: ____________
Check either Option (1) or Option (2) below, and complete the required information:
___ Option (1): Vessel will be out of the water for more than 72 consecutive hours.
Ship Yard and address: _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
___ Option (2): Vessel will remain at the dock/mooring and not engage in any fisheries for a minimum
period of 30 consecutive days (Note: This option is only available to multispecies limited access,
monkfish category F (during the Offshore Fishery Program Season), scallop limited access, mackerel
limited access, surfclam/ocean quahog, herring, longfin squid moratorium (1A, 1B), illex squid
moratorium or butterfish moratorium permit holders who do not hold more restrictive VMS permits).
Port Location: ____________________________________________________________________
NOTE: The VMS unit must remain operational until a Letter of Exemption from the Regional Administrator is
received to turn off a vessel’s VMS unit. Upon receipt of the Letter of Exemption, the vessel owner/operator may
discontinue VMS operation for the period requested above. The Letter of Exemption must be on board the vessel at
all times. Vessel owners/operators may request changes to the time period for this exemption through a written
request to the Regional Administrator, provided the minimum period is met.
T his form is required to obtain approval for a vessel to turn off their VMS unit consistent with the power down exemption regulations at 50 CFR 648.10(c)(2)
and to restart VMS operation. Making a false statement on this form is punishable by law.
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.
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 the data needed, and completing and reviewing the information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or suggestions for reducing this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information to NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester,
MA, 01930.
O MB Control No. 0648-0202
Expiration Date: 08/31/2019