United States DEPARTMENT of Commerce

s t r a t e g i c g o a l 3 * P e r f o r m a n c e S e c t i o n
First-Ever Sanctuary Status Report Highlights Conditions in Sanctuaries
Reports that examine the status of everything from water quality in the sanctuary system to endangered whale populations were
released this year. These sanctuary condition reports provide a wealth of information about the complex marine resources and
archaeological treasures found in sanctuary waters in straightforward, easily understandable documents. The reports will help set
the stage for management plan reviews at each site and help sanctuary staff identify monitoring, and research priorities for dayto-day
management needs and new threats to the sanctuaries. National marine sanctuaries reporting in 2007 are: Stellwagen
Bank, Fagatele Bay, and others.
Performance Objective: Support the Nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient,
and environmentally sound transportation (NOAA)
U.S. transportation systems are economic lifelines for the Nation. As U.S. dependence on surface and air
transportation grows over the next 20 years, and as maritime trade doubles, better navigation and weather
information provided by NOAA will be critical to protect lives, cargo, and the environment. For example,
better aviation weather information could significantly reduce the $4 billion lost through economic
inefficiencies as a result of weather related air traffic delays. Improved surface forecasts and specific user
warnings would likely reduce the 7,000 weather-related fatalities and 800,000 injuries annually from
vehicle crashes.
Some highlights from this performance goal in FY 2007
include:
Number of Reported Results
NOAA Satellites Help Save 347 People in 2007
Below
Target
Slightly Below
Target
On
Target
Exceeded
Target
0 0 5 1
In FY 2007, through July 13, Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided
See Appendix A: Performance and Resource Tables for individual reported results.
Tracking System (SARSAT) has led to the rescue of 347 people
surpassing the previous year’s total where NOAA satellites
helped save 272 people from potentially life-jeopardizing emergencies throughout the United States and its surrounding waters.
With over two months remaining in the fiscal year, SARSAT is fast approaching the 1999 10-year high of 294 rescues. One
possible explanation for the high totals this year is the increase in beacon
population. NOAA currently has over 182,000 406 MHz emergency beacons
in its registration database and is currently registering record numbers each
month. Older emergency beacons operating on the 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz
frequency will cease to be monitored as of February 1, 2009. Mariners,
aviators, and individuals using emergency beacons will need to switch to
those operating at 406 MHz if they want to be detected by satellites.
Emergency beacon owners can register their 406 MHz beacons online at
www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov.
NOAA illustration of NOAA satellite used to
search and rescue mariners and hikers.
F Y 2 0 0 7 P E R F O R M A N C E A N D A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y R E P O R T
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