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Notice to Research Vessel Operators No. 74

Subject: Listing of Equipment in Clearance Requests.
Released by the Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, January 20, 1988.

In addition to listing the research equipment to be used in the instant project in formulating a research request, it is urged that any other equipment on board the vessel which might be considered to be research equipment and which will be turned on while in coastal state waters be listed and its use explained, even if it is not being used in the instant research.

Last year, following its normal procedures, an R/V operated its gravimeter continuously to maintain its calibration, even though it was not used for research at the time. Unfortunately, there was no one on board to explain this to the coastal state observer, and the coastal state authorities assumed unauthorized research was conducted. This difficulty could have been avoided if this information had been included in the clearance request. Since the coastal state might apply sanctions for unauthorized research, it would be best to take the preventative step of listing such equipment and noting its operating procedures.

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