Marine Operations Note: 03/2008 - Appointment of Authorized Testing Application Service Providers

Re: Appointment of Authorized Testing Application Service Providers

Purpose

This Marine Notice contains further information and instructions to assist in complying with the requirements of SOLAS V/19-1 (LRIT) and is a continuation of Marine Operations Note 01/2008 issued in June 2008. It is intended to provide guidance to owners, operators, managers and masters of Liberian ships and yachts over 300 GT regarding the requirements for conducting conformance testing of shipborne equipment in compliance with Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) regulations.

Background

SOLAS V/19-1 Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) requires Ship owners to ensure provision of compliant shipborne equipment meeting the applicable LRIT regulations, performance standards and functional requirements, and technical specifications. Furthermore, the equipment should be of a type approved by the Administration.

For the purpose of demonstrating equipment type approval, the IMO has specified that a LRIT conformance test is to be undertaken by an Application Service Provider (ASP) authorized by the Administration. The Liberian Administration has authorized two (2) Testing Application Service Providers (ASP). (Additional authorized testing ASP’s may be added to this list in the future at the discretion of the Administration.)

Application

For ships constructed on or after 31 December 2008, the conformance test should be conducted after the completion of the initial survey of the radio installation and satisfactorily completed prior to the issue of a radio related certificate.

For ships constructed before 31 December 2008, the conformance test should be conducted within a period of three months prior to the date on which a ship would need to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of regulation V/19-1, as illustrated above.

Office of Deputy Commissioner

Of Maritime Affairs

Appointment of Authorized Testing Application Service Providers (ASP)

The Liberian Administration has authorized two (2) Testing Application Service Providers (ASP), to undertake shipborne equipment testing:

1. TRANSAS Telematics Limited
2. Polestar Space Applications Limited

The Liberian Administration encourages shipowners to contact one of the appointed authorized testing ASPs at their earliest convenience and to conduct conformance tests of their vessels equipment for LRIT compliance well in advance of the mandatory compliance dates.

On satisfactory completion of a conformance test, the ASP conducting the test will issue a report to the Administration to support and serve as the basis for the Conformance Test Report (Certificate) that will be issued by the Administration to the Shipowner for placing on board their vessel(s).

Conformance Test Process

1. Owners of ships subject to SOLAS V/19-1 will need to register the chosen Inmarsat C Mobile Earth Station for testing with the Authorized Application Service Provider. Contact details are included in Section 8, below.
2. Once registration is complete, an activation code (Data Reporting and Polling Closed Network Identity or DNID) and other supplemental commands will be downloaded automatically to the vessel’s chosen Inmarsat C Mobile Earth Station. This will activate the transmissions required for the test.
3. Following activation, there will be a period of testing in line with guidelines contained in MSC.1/Circ.1257. This is necessary to ensure the transmitted data is accurate and reliable. This testing will be carried out remotely by the Authorised ASP. Upon successful completion, a test certificate will be issued by the Liberian Administration. All vessels must hold such a certificate to comply with SOLAS V/19-1.

1. Owners of ships with terminals that do not support LRIT will need to either upgrade one of the Inmarsat C Mobile Earth Stations onboard or install a 'stand alone' LRIT terminal.

Contacts

If a ship owner is in any doubt as to the applicability of SOLAS V/19-1 to their ships they should contact the Administration for further information. The Liberian Administration LRIT coordinator can be contacted at: lrit@liscr.com

For information regarding LRIT testing with the Authorized Service Provider, contact: