IMO: LRIT *Update*
With SOLAS V/19-1 Long-Range Identification and Tracking regulation (LRIT) entering into force on the 1st of January 2008, a number of decisions were taken at the 84th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) to ensure its timely implementation.
Applicable to ships constructed on or after the 31st December 2008 and with a phased implementation schedule for ships constructed before this date, the LRIT system is intended to be operational with respect to the transmission of LRIT information by ships from the 30th December 2008.
A resolution on the establishment of the International LRIT Data Exchange on an interim basis was adopted at MSC 84 confirming that the International LRIT Data Exchange will be provided temporarily by the United States at their own expense and that a permanent solution should be found as soon as possible.
The Committee released a number of circulars on the development of LRIT including;
MSC.1/Circ. 1256 – Guidance on the Implementation of the LRIT System.
Guidance identifies the primary duties and obligations of SOLAS Contracting Governments and Administrations at the initial establishment of the LRIT system, and should be read together with SOLAS regulation V/19-1 and the revised performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships adopted by resolution MSC.263(84).
Click here for MSC.1/Circ. 1256
MSC.1/Circ.1257 – Guidance on the survey and certification of compliance of ships with the requirement to transmit LRIT information.
Guidance outlines a number of alternative options for documenting compliance with SOLAS regulation V/19-1.6 and sets out the approach to be taken when surveying and certifying the compliance of ships which are required to transmit LRIT information.
The guidance should be read together with SOLAS regulation V/19-1 and the revised performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships (Revised performance standards) adopted by resolution MSC.263(84).
Click here for MSC.1/Circ. 1257
MSC.1/Circ.1258 – Guidance to search and rescue services in relation to requesting and receiving LRIT information.
SAR services are advised to establish with the LRIT Data Centre they will be using, working procedures and arrangements so as to ensure easy and efficient communications and the expedient processing of their requests for LRIT information.
Click here for MSC.1/Circ. 1258
MSC.1/Circ.1259 – Interim revised technical specifications for the LRIT system.
The Committee, at its eighty-fourth session considered the report of the ad hoc LRIT Group and endorsed the amendments it adopted to various technical specifications for the LRIT system. In addition, the Committee approved technical specifications for the LRIT Data Distribution Plan.
Furthermore, the Committee concurred with the view of the Group that the various technical specifications and the amendment should be consolidated and issued in a single document. As a result the Committee approved the present circular and the Interim revised technical specifications for the LRIT system set out in annex.
Click here for MSC.1/Circ. 1259
Click here for Resolution MSC.263(84)