The Coast Guard will conduct a two-week test and evaluation of a new aircraft-mounted search radar July 21-30, 2009, affecting commercial fisherman with the Vessel Monitoring System.
Commercial fishing boats equipped with VMS in the radar testing areas may experience VMS polling signals as often as every 10 minutes. This increase in signal activity is for testing purposes only, and is not associated with targeted fisheries enforcement. Fishing vessels will not be charged for the increased VMS polling rate.
Coast Guard aircraft participating in the testing and evaluation are the HC-130 Hercules and HC-144 Ocean Sentry. These aircraft support typical air missions such as search and rescue, law enforcement, maritime domain awareness, living marine resources, International Ice Patrol, and marine environmental protection.