The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces that a revised definition of length overall (LOA) is effective as of October 12, 2001, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
A final rule published on September 12, 2001, in the Federal Register at 66 FR 47416 clarifies the definition of vessel LOA at 50 CFR part 679.2 by removing the definitions of stem and stern, revising the definition of LOA to include bulwarks explicitly, and adding a definition for bulwark to read:
Length overall (LOA) of a vessel means the centerline longitudinal distance, rounded to the nearest foot, measured between:
(1) The outside foremost part of the vessel visible above the waterline, including bulwarks, but excluding bowsprits and similar fittings or attachments, and
(2) The outside aftermost part of the vessel visible above the waterline, including bulwarks, but excluding rudders, outboard motor brackets, and similar fittings or attachments (see Figure 6 to 50 CFR 679).
Bulwark means a section of a vessel's side continuing above the main deck.
Further information on this action may be found in the preamble to the proposed rule published at 66 FR 28883 (May 25, 2001).
This information bulletin only provides notice of a regulatory change. For the purposes of complying with the regulatory change, you are advised to see the actual text of the regulation in the Code of Federal Regulations.
IB 01-94: NMFS Announces Regulatory Change: Definition of Length Overall
October 19, 2001 - 4:45 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
