1. Why are there red bars in the easyMail 'connections' box?
2. Why can't I send messages in easyMail?
3. How can I reinstate the contact address I accidentally deleted?
4. Why am I receiving bills for messages I send?
5. Am I permitted to power down my ALC?
6. How do I obtain information about my entitlement?
7. How can I contact the VMS officers at the Department of Fisheries?
1. Why are there red bars in the easyMail ‘connections' box?
It is normal for the bars in easyMail to turn red for a short period (less than 10 minutes) if the unit is performing another action such as receiving or sending a message. But if the bars remain red for more than 10 minutes, please call us at our Fremantle office and/or contact a registered installer. There may be a problem with the ALC or the connection between the ALC and the computer. See also our easyMail 
user guide.
2. Why can't I send messages in easyMail?
Try resending the message. An ALC can only perform one function at a time and sometimes a message will fail if the ALC is performing another function at the same time. This is often only a temporary problem. If you cannot send a message via your ALC, call our 24-hour VMS messaging service. Also check the easyMail user guide to ensure the program has been set up correctly. If you experience further problems, ask your registered installer/distributor for help.
3. How can I reinstate the Department of Fisheries contact address I accidentally deleted from easyMail?
Contact a VMS officer at our Fremantle office during office hours to obtain the correct address. Outside of office hours, nominations can be made by calling the 24-hour VMS messaging service. This is only a temporary measure and any messaging problem should be fixed as soon as possible.
4. Why am I receiving bills for messages I send?
We pay for messages sent via the Department of Fisheries data network identifier (DNID) address. Fishers are billed for any other types of messages sent via easyMail. If you are receiving bills for Department of Fisheries DNID messages, you may have selected to receive a confirmation for messages sent. To stop receiving this bill, deselect the confirmation request option from the pop-up box that appears when you send an easyMail message.
5. Am I permitted to power down my ALC?
It is an offence to power down an ALC unless you have written approval from a VMS officer. It is the responsibility of the master of a fishing boat fitted with an ALC to ensure the ALC is operating effectively at all times.
You are encouraged to seek power-down approval if maintenance is being carried out on the boat and/or the boat is not being used for fishing for an extended period. This is because maintaining effective operation of the ALC may be compromised during this time. You are not permitted to take a boat to sea during the time the ALC is powered down – power must be reinstated first.
6. How do I obtain information about my entitlement?
To obtain information regarding entitlement, you must complete an E1 (Application for release of information) form and return it to us. You can download this form from the Installing and using an ALC page.
7. How can I contact the VMS officers at the Department of Fisheries?
For support from our VMS officers call our Fremantle office during office hours or email vms@fish.wa.gov.au
Outside office hours, nominations can be made using the 24-hour VMS messaging service.