Long Range Identification and Tracking Systems (LRIT)

With reference to a post I have made last April 2008 regarding the GULF LRIT. The significance of implementing the Long Range Identification and Tracking System on ships has been emphasized, when the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) during its 84^th session in London from 7 to 16 May, made a number of decisions to ensure its timely implementation. This new requirement is part of a SOLAS regulation under V/19-1 which entered into force last 1 January 2008 and will apply to ships constructed on or after 31 December 2008 with a phased implementation schedule for ships constructed before 31 December 2008. The Committee adopted revised Performance Standards and functional requirements to update previous versions and agreed MSC.1 Circulars giving guidance on the survey and certification of compliance requirements of ships. The LRIT system is intended to be operational with respect to the transmission of LRIT information by ships from 30 December 2008. The MSC adopted a resolution on the Establishment of the International LRIT Data Exchange on an interim basis, confirming that the International LRIT Data Exchange will be provided temporarily by the United States.

(Source: Shiptalk News issue 23 May 2008)