WCGOP Vessel Logbook Forms - All

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
The PRA requires federal agencies to obtain clearance
in order to ask questions of members of the public. All
questions asked by west coast groundfish observers
have been approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0593
through 01/31/2024. Under the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and
implementing regulations, vessels are required to answer
any question related to observer and vessel safety.
However, vessels are not required to answer any other
question asked by the observer. Vessel’s willingness to
answer all questions asked by observers is voluntary and
this willingness is appreciated as it will ensure observer
data collected on the vessel can be used in future analyzes.
The observer program can be contacted toll free at:
(866) 780-8064 or by the program's email address at
NWFSC.observerprogram@noaa.gov if anyone has any
questions.
A “Paperwork Reduction Act Information” sheet is mailed
to all selected vessels for observer coverage and is
included with their selection letter.

Paperwork Reduction Act Information
Information collected through the observer program is
used to: (1) monitor catch and bycatch; (2) understand the
population status and trends of fish stocks and protected
species, as well as the interactions between them; (3)
determine the quantity and distribution of net benefits
derived from living marine resources; (4) predict the
biological, ecological, and economic impacts of existing
management actions and proposed management options;
and (5) ensure that the observer programs can safely and
efficiently collect the information required for the previous
four uses. In particular, these biological and economic
data collection programs contribute to legally mandated
analyses required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the Endangered
Species Act (ESA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), Executive Order 12866 (EO
12866), and other applicable law.

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Most of the information collected by observers is obtained
through "direct observation by an employee or agent
of the sponsoring agency or through non-standardized
oral communication in connection with such direct
observations". Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
regulations at 5 C.F.R. 1320.3(h)(3), facts or opinions
obtained through such observations and communications
are not considered to be "information" subject to the
PRA. The public reporting burden for responding to the
questions that observers ask and that are subject to the
PRA is estimated to average 34 minutes per trip, including
the time for hearing and understanding the questions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining
the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments regarding this
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection
of information, including suggestions for reducing this
burden, to: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program,
2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112.
Providing information related to observer and vessel
safety is mandatory under regulations at 50 C.F.R. 600.746.
However, all other requested information is voluntary.
Although you are under no legal obligation to answer nonsafety related observer questions, we would appreciate
your support as it ensures observer data can be used for
its intended purpose. The information collected will be
kept confidential as required under Section 402(b) of the
MSA (18 U.S.C. 1881a(b)) and regulations at 50 C.F.R. Part
600, Subpart E. 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.

Vessel Diagram Instructions
Vessel diagrams are important pieces of information and
should be done for each vessel observed. These diagrams
help detail the layout of the vessel and help debriefers
better understand your sampling conditions while onboard. It is especially important to thoroughly document
any vessels and gear types that are not typically observed.
Diagrams should be large, detailed and well labeled. Please
use blue or black ink. The following are suggestions of
items to include:

Fixed gear

Trawl

• An overall diagram of the vessel layout and equipment, such
as line, block, hoppers, etc.

• An overall diagram of the trawl deck and deck equipment,
such as winches, wire, hatches, etc.

• An overall diagram of deck layout and deck equipment, such
as lines, block, hoppers, etc.
• The location where gear is baited, set, and retrieved.
• Flow of fish, where sample is taken, sorted, weighed, etc.
• Any obstructions and/ or hazardous objects on deck
• An indication of what gear was used, and a rough diagram, if
appropriate.

Small vessels, skiffs, kayaks, etc.
• The location where gear is stored baited, set, and retrieved

• The location of trawl alley, scuppers, bins, etc.

• Flow of fish, where sample is taken, sorted, weighed, etc.

• Flow of fish, where sample is taken, sorted, weighed, etc.

• Any obstructions and/ or hazardous objects on the vessel

• Any obstructions and/ or hazardous objects on deck.

• Diagrams of gear, bait, etc. Be detailed!

• An estimate of overall vessel size is helpful!

• An estimate of overall size is very helpful!

• Measurements of trawl alley, deck bins, bin boards, and any
other locations appropriate to sampling or vessel layout are
helpful but not required.

On the following page is an example of a trawl vessel
diagram.

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Vessel and Sampling Area Diagram
Diagram should include scuppers, hatches, bins, trawl alley, winches, obstructions on deck, flow of fish, where sample is
taken and sorted /weighed, etc. Estimate length of vessel.
Vessel: Gear type(s) used:

Captain’s net capacity estimate (lbs):
Trawl alley or hopper capacity estimate (lbs):
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Vessel Safety Checklist

Ensure that all items in red are present if required in the FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS. Do not deploy if any are not verified or current.

Vessel Name:
USCG/State Registration #:

Life Rafts
o Inflatable

USCG Decal
o Buoyant apparatus

o None

Be sure the following fields are

o N/A

checked:

o Observer raft
Total capacity:

Total # people on board:

o Documented

List full names of crew members present on the reverse side.

o Expiration month

Complete the above decal as it appears on

Life raft able to float free? o Yes

o Locations

the vessel.

o No

*Service sticker expiration date:

o Expiration year

**Hydrostatic release expiration:

Is the decal valid for where the vessel is fishing?

Life raft equipment? o SOLAS A o SOLAS B
o PA

o PB

o Coastal

Fishing Area?

o Ocean Service

Immersion Suits

o Yes

o < 3 NM

o < 12 NM

o < 20 NM

o < 50 NM

o > 50 NM

o > 100 NM

Flares
o Yes

o No

Required (unless inside 3 miles); 6 handheld, 3 Parachute, 3 Smoke

One for each person? o Yes

o No

Location(s):

On board?
Location:

Handheld: how many:

PFD for each person? o Yes

Parachute: how many:

*Exp. date:

Smoke: how many:

*Exp. date:

Fire Extinguishers

Type IV Throwable

*Present?

o Yes

o No

*Exp. date:

Location:

Serviceable? o Yes

o No

o No

How many?

o Ring

o No

o Cushion

o Lifesling

Easily accessible? o Yes

Location:

Number:

o No

Location(s):

Other signaling devices:

EPIRBS
Present? o Yes o No o N/A In float-free location? o Yes o No Registered to this vessel? o Yes o No Signal tested? o Yes o No

Decal’s alphanumeric code matches EPIRB code? o Yes o No Location(s):
*Battery exp. date:

*Hydrostatic release exp. date:

NOAA registration sticker:

Exp. date:

Additional Checks
First aid materials present? o Yes

o No Location:

Who besides you is CPR Certified? (Name & position):
o Yes o No

How many?

Watertight doors/hatches working properly?

*Working communication devices:

o Yes o No

Digital selective calling (DSC) enabled radio present? o Yes

o No

Hatches/passageways unobstructed?

o Yes o No

DSC registered & radio interfaced with GPS?

o Yes

o No

Did you hear the general/high water alarms?

o Yes o No

Is there a Station Bill posted?

o Yes

o No

Is there adequate means of escape?

o Yes o No

Did you see the bilge pumps?

o Yes

o No

*Is there an anchor present?

o Yes

o No

Were you given emergency directions?

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

(complete line below)

Was a wheel watch arranged?

o N/A

o N/A

Type:

What were the emergency directions?
Observer signature:
Date:

Print:
* Expires the last day of the month displayed.
** Hydrostatic releases are valid for two years from installation date.
* Red no-go items: See WCGOP Vessel Safety Check Instructions section for help.
OMB Control No. 0648-0593 exp. 01/31/2024

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Crew Members
Provide full names of crew present.
1. Captain:

4. Deckhand:

2. Deckhand:

5. Deckhand:

3. Deckhand:

6. Deckhand:

Additional Notes

Completed Vessel Safety Checklist
After completing the checklist, sign the form, print your name and date it. Email or text a copy of the checklist and all
associated notes to your provider (CS) or coordinator (NCS). If you have any safety questions or concerns, please contact
the following coordinators:

John LaFargue, CA Coordinator
427 F Street #217
Eureka CA 95501
Office: 707.443.3228
Cell: 530.604.7386
email: John.LaFargue@noaa.gov

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Brad Laird, WA/OR Coordinator
Hatfield Marine Science Center
2032 SE OSU Dr
Newport OR 97365
Office: 541.351.8250
Cell: 541.228.4591
Fax: 541.867.0505
email: Brad.Laird@noaa.gov