LRIT: LONG RANGE IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF SHIPS

A new Regulation to Chapter V (Safety of Navigation) of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention enters into force on 1 January 2008 and will introduce a requirement for Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) for certain categories of ships on international voyages, under a phased implementation programme beginning 31 December 2008.

LRIT is primarily intended to improve maritime security and assist with search and rescue (SAR). Other usages relating to maritime safety and marine environmental protection are currently being considered by IMO.

Ships will be required automatically to transmit their identity, position and date and time of transmission at regular intervals.

Ships fitted with AIS operating only in GMDSS A1 areas will not be required to transmit LRIT messages.

Shipowners need to ensure that GMDSS equipment on their ships has the required capabilities for automatic transmission of LRIT messages.

LRIT information will be received only by Administrations and Contracting Governments subject to the provisions set out in paragraph 8 of the new Regulation.
 

Passenger ships, including high speed craft

Cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards

Mobile offshore drilling units.

Ship’s identity (Transmitting equipment identity)

Ship’s position (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position in Latitude and Longitude based on WGS-84 datum;)

Time and date of transmission (associated with the GNSS position.)
 

LRIT data can be provided by using equipment already fitted on many ships, such as Inmarsat C, mini-C or D+. There will also be systems available which utilize alternative satellite networks and specifically designed to function within the LRIT infrastructure. All these systems have a built-in GNSS receiver, providing the vessel’s position, date and time. They also have the equipment-unique identification (ID) built in to them. Remote control of transmissions is also possible.

Shipowners and masters are responsible for ensuring that the equipment fitted is fully compliant with the requirements of LRIT. Studies have revealed that some Inmarsat C equipment will not be able to support all LRIT operations. If in any doubt ship masters or owners should check with the equipment manufacturers or service facilities.

The following are on-board equipment requirements as specified in the LRIT Performance Standards (IMO Resolution MSC.210(81)). The equipment must:be capable of automatically and without human intervention on board the ship transmitting the ship’s LRIT information at 6-hour intervals to an LRIT Data Centre;

Be capable of being configured remotely to transmit LRIT information at variable intervals;

Be capable of transmitting LRIT information following receipt of polling commands;

Interface directly to the ship-borne global navigation satellite system equipment, or have internal positioning capability;

Be supplied with energy from the main and emergency source of electrical power1; and

Be tested for electromagnetic compatibility taking into account the recommendations developed by the Organization.2
 

Ships will transmit LRIT data every 6 hours at Security Level 1. The frequency of LRIT transmissions must be capable of being controlled remotely. At higher security levels (2 or 3), or if there is particular interest in a vessel or vessels, the frequency may be increased remotely up to one transmission every 15 minutes.

SOLAS regulation V/19.1 establishes a multilateral agreement between Member States for sharing LRIT data, for security and SAR purposes. It maintains the right of flag States to protect ships flying their flag, where appropriate, while allowing coastal States access to information about ships navigating off their coasts. None of the rights, jurisdiction, duties or obligations of States in the UN Convention on the Law Of the Sea (UNCLOS) are altered.
 

Ship-borne transmitting equipment

Communications service provider(s)

Application service provider(s)

LRIT Data Centre(s)

LRIT Data Distribution Plan

International LRIT Data Exchange