Long Range Identification and Tracking

Overview

On 19th May 2006 the International Maritime Organization adopted resolution MSC.202(81) which required the establishment of an international system for the Long range Identification and Tracking of ships (LRIT). This resolution amends chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), regulation 19-1 and binds all governments which have contracted to the IMO.

The LRIT regulation will apply to the following ship types engaged on international voyages:

* All passenger ships including high speed craft,
* Cargo ships, including high speed craft of 300 gross tonnage and above, and
* Mobile offshore drilling units.

These ships must automatically report their position to the their Flag Administration at least 4 times a day. Other contracting governments may request information about vessels in which they have a legitimate interest under the regulation.

This is explained in more detail in the requirements section of [http://lrit.com/regulation.html LRIT.com] and there is an overview on the IMO website [ [http://www.imo.org/Safety/mainframe.asp?topic_id=905 IMO: Long Range Identification and Tracking Systems] ] .

The automatic system consists of the shipborne LRIT information transmitting equipment, Communications Service Providers (CSPs), Application Service Providers (ASPs), LRIT Data Centres, the LRIT Data Distribution Plan and the International LRIT Data Exchange. Certain aspects of the performance of the LRIT system are reviewed or audited by the LRIT Coordinator acting on behalf of the IMO and its Contracting Governments.

European Implementation

The European Union has issued a tender for the provision of a regional LRIT data centre which will receive position reports from ships which fly flags of its member nations. European flag administrations may choose whether to participate and there is some concern that the European solution will be available several months after statutory date of operation.

United States of America Implementation

Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) was proposed by the United States Coast Guard(USCG) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks to track the approximately 50,000 large ships around the world.

In the United States integration of LRIT information with that from sensors and enables the Coast Guard to correlate Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) data with data from other sources, detect anomalies, and heighten overall Maritime Domain Awareness. The United States implementation of this regulation is consistent with the Coast Guard's strategic goals of maritime security and maritime safety, and the Department's strategic goals of awareness, prevention, protection, and response.

Every sovereign nation already has the right to request such information (and does so) for ships destined for their ports. The LRIT regulation and computer system will allow the USCG to receive information about all vessels within convert|1000|nmi|km of US territority providing the vessel's flag administration has not excluded the USA from receiving such information.

For a more detailed description of the United States implementation of the LRIT system, please refer to the NPRM published October 3, 2007, in the US Government Federal Register (72 FR 56600). [ [http://cryptome.org/uscg042908.htm Federal Register: April 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 83)] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.fulcrum-maritime.com www.fulcrum-maritime.com] Fulcrum Maritime Systems provides a National Data Centre solution for use by Flags, called "LRIT Master".

* [http://www.lrit.com/ www.lrit.com] A comprehensive source of information about LRIT with information for ship owners and flag administrations.

* [http://www.imo.org/ www.imo.org] The International Maritime Organisation; full set of technical specifications for LRIT.

* [http://www.bluetraker.com/LRIT_solutions.php www.bluetraker.com/LRIT_solutions.php] World’s first Iridium transponder BlueTraker® LRIT, compliant with long-range identification and tracking IMO resolution

* [http://www.thrane.com/Systems/Products/LRIT.aspx www.thrane.com/Systems/Products/LRIT.aspx] Thrane & Thrane A/S of Denmark is a major supplier of LRIT-compliant terminal equipment and terrestrial gateways (ASP and DC).