Marine Advisory: 03/2022 - Updated Requirements in Relation to Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT)

Subject: Updated Requirements in Relation to Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT)

Ref: Marine Notice ISP-003 ‘LONG RANGE IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF SHIPS (LRIT)’

Dear Shipowners/Operators/Masters:

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to inform shipowners, operators and masters of revised guidance in Marine Notice ISP-003 on implementation, maintenance and compliance with the requirements for Liberian flag ships to transmit Long Range Tracking and Identification (LRIT) information.

Requirements for Conformance Testing

The Administration has noticed a number of ships registering under the Liberian flag that have old or inproperly functioning shipborne LRIT equipment, and/or old LRIT conformance tests. This has resulted in many ships being unable to transmit consistent LRIT information due to equipment failure. To ensure crew, ship, and environmental safety and security, and acknowledging the frequent failure of ships to transmit consistent LRIT information and the natural operational degradation of shipborne equipment, a conformance test is required for all new installations of shipborne LRIT equipment; and for existing installations, at the time of change of flag (from a different Administration to the Liberian flag) or at the time of re-registration under the Liberian flag to a different owner under the Liberian flag (excluding registration from bareboat charter in to direct registry). This will also ensure that the equipment, as fitted onboard, complies with the provisions of SOLAS Regulation V/19-1.6 and the LRIT revised performance standards and functional requirements.

The conformance test submitted for registration or re-registration shall be less than one month old and conducted by the Liberian Administration Authorized testing Application Service Provider (herein referred to as “Testing ASP”) in accordance with paragraph 5.2 of Marine Notice ISP-003.

Testing ASPs

Up to and including 20 April 2022, the conformance test may be conducted by any of the Testing ASPs whose details are outlined below:

Pole Star Space Applications Limited

Email: lrittesting@polestarglobal.com

(T) +44 (0)20 7313 7400

(F) +44 (0)20 7313 7401

WÄRTSILÄ VOYAGE LIMITED

Email: voyage.support@wartsila.com

(T) +46(0)771460100

CLS – Maritime Surveillance Support

Email: lrit.testing@cls.fr

(T) +33 5 61394880

(F) +33 5 61394797

Absolute Maritime Tracking Services Inc.

Email: activations@absolutemaritime.com

(T) +507 3015748

(F) +507 3015749

As of 21 April 2022, the conformance test shall be conducted by the following Testing ASP:

Pole Star Space Applications Limited

Email: lrittesting@polestarglobal.com

(T) +44 (0)20 7313 7400

(F) +44 (0)20 7313 7401

Shipborne Equipment

Marine Notice ISP-003 no longer provides list of shipborne equipment. For information on recognized maritime mobile satellite service ship earth station models contact the Recognized ASP or the equipment manufacturer to determine suitability for LRIT.

For Inmarsat C shipborne equipment, if the equipment appears to be LRIT capable, the following steps should be taken:

• Contact the manufacturer to confirm that the shipborne equipment has current software/firmware versions; and
• Ensure that Polling & Data Reporting (PDR) functions are enabled; and
• Ensure that Macro Encoded Message 11 (MEM-11) is enabled.

For Iridium shipborne equipment, all models listed are suitable for LRIT without further configuration.

From 31 December 2021, IsatM2M satellite service will be withdrawn and ships with this equipment installed will no longer be compliant with LRIT regulations.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact LRIT@liscr.com.

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