FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Bellingham, WA] — January 24, 2025 — Real Time Data’s Deckhand logbook, leading
software for digital data collection on the front lines, has been officially approved by the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office for use in the Alaska catcher vessel trawl and fixed gear longline fisheries. This approval helps advance modernization in fisheries data collection and reporting by enabling operators to finally say goodbye to traditional paper logbooks. Fishermen who report federally using the NMFS Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL) in catcher vessel trawl and fixed gear longline fisheries in Alaska may now subscribe to Deckhand as a fully-electronic option. Those who were trialing Deckhand over the last two years and reporting to NOAA Fisheries will no longer need to print copies of electronic logbook records on board. Fishermen may instead submit their logbook reports directly to the agency from the software. The approval comes after two years of pilot projects in the Alaska region, made possible in part through grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for the longline
fleet and support from industry partners, such as the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), North Pacific Fisheries Association (NPFA), Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union (DSFU), and the Fishing Vessel Owner’s Association (FVOA), the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), Mackay Communications, and others.
In addition to this approval, longline fishermen who have a reporting obligation to the IPHC can use Deckhand for data collection and reporting to IPHC dockside field staff and headquarters.
Fishermen testify that Deckhand helps reduce paperwork, increase efficiency in the
wheelhouse, improve accuracy of data collected at sea, and enhance contributions to
sustainability goals. The technology makes operators’ lives on the front lines easier. Additional guidance as a result of this approval is being distributed to users and regional stakeholders. A limited number of Deckhand units are still available free of charge for longline operators, made possible with funding from NFWF. Call 509-850-9916 to order before supplies run out. Fishermen can also contact Mackay Marine in Dutch Harbor for sales at 907-581-1679. Real Time Data has revolutionized front line data collection since 2010 at its Adelaide, Australia and Bellingham, Washington headquarters. RTD leads innovation in maritime and fishing with its flagship logbook platform, Deckhand. RTD is committed to providing the best technology in the world for a future of sustainable fisheries, happy fishermen, and healthy fishing businesses.
For more, go to deckhand-solutions.com or visit @deckhandlogbook on social media.
For questions or inquiries, contact Sydney Bichsel, Marketing Manager, at 509-850-9916 or
sydneyb@teamrtd.com.