Long Range Identification & Tracking
Long Range Identification & Tracking
In response to the threat from the maritime terrorism, IMO established a system for the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT). The system consists of shipborne LRIT transmitting equipment, Communication Service Provider(s), Application Service Provider(s), LRIT Data Centre(s), the LRIT Data Distribution Plan and the International LRIT Data Exchange.
Certain aspects of the LRIT system are reviewed or audited by the LRIT Coordinator acting on behalf of all Contracting Governments to the SOLAS Convention. The International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) has been appointed to be the LRIT Coordinator.
An illustration of the LRIT system architecture:
*Photo/Image grabbed from the web. Credits to the owner.
Under the SOLAS Regulation V/19-1, ships will be required to report their positions automatically, to a special shore data collection, storage and distribution system, at least four times a day. LRIT information is provided to Contracting Governments and Search and Rescue services entitled to receive the information, upon request, through a system of National, Regional, and Co-operative LRIT Data Centres, using where necessary, the International LRIT Data Exchange.
The regulation which entered into force on 1 January 2008, applies to passenger ships and cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and above, and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) engaged on international voyage.
Ships operating exclusively in sea area A1 and fitted with Automatic Identification System (AIS) do not need to comply with LRIT regulation.
MCS is an Application Service Provide (ASP) approved by IMSO to provide Testing and Certification for LRIT. MCS manages all aspects of the test, including terminal commissioning, satellite communications network management, post-test de-commissioning, production of a detailed test result and provision of a Conformance Test Certificate.