Marine Operations Note: 03/2009 - Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships
22 January 2009
Marine Operation Note 03/2009
January 22, 2009
MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE 03/2009
Dear Owner/Operator, LRIT requirements entered into force internationally on 1 January 2008 with compliance dates for ship owners that commenced on 1 January 2009. Applicable ships are generally required to be compliant not later than the date of the first radio survey after 1 January 2009. Refer to Marine Operations Note 01/2008 and/or MSC 202(81) for specific guidance based on the date of construction and operating area(s) of the ship. Owners and operators are encouraged to conduct the required LRIT Conformance Test of their vessel’s equipment at their earliest opportunity, but not later than three months prior to the date of the first date of first radio survey after 1 January 2009. This is recommended to ensure timely compliance, and to provide adequate opportunity to upgrade non-compliant shipborne equipment, as may be necessary. National Data Center (NDC) for Liberian Registered Ships The Liberian Administration has established a National LRIT Data Center and has appointed Polestar Space Applications Limited to assist in its operation and to serve as Liberia’s Recognized Application Service Provider (ASP). LRIT data from Liberian registered ships will be transmitted to the Liberian National Data Centre (NDC) and will be available only upon request to Contracting Governments who are entitled to receive such information and safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of those data have been built into the LRIT system. Procedure for Shipborne LRIT Equipment Testing The conformance test has been designed to demonstrate compliance of the shipborne equipment with the functional requirement of the LRIT Performance Standard. 1. Although it is anticipated that the majority of Liberian registered ships are equipped with LRIT compatible Inmarsat-C equipment, some equipment may not conform to the LRIT Performance Standards for a range of operational, physical and technical reasons. |
Shipowners and masters are therefore advised to take early action by consulting with equipment manufacturers to ensure their shipborne LRIT equipment is fully compliant with the requirements of MSC.263(84) and MSC.1/Circ.1296 in addition to confirming with the Authorized Testing ASP that the selected equipment is compatible with the Liberian National Data Center (NDC) and can successfully complete a conformance test.
- Shipowners should contact one of the authorized testing ASP’s at their earliest convenience and conduct conformance tests of the vessels selected equipment for LRIT compliance. (Detailed information regarding the appointment of the Authorized Testing ASP’s can be found in Marine Ops Note 03/2008 and updated contact information can be found below.)
- On satisfactory completion of a conformance test, the Authorized Testing 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). There is no additional action required from the shipowner once the test has been successfully completed with passed results since the test report data is automatically forwarded to the Administration by the Authorized Testing ASP.
Shipborne equipment may be used simultaneously for LRIT and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) or Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) compliance. For details on these carriage requirements refer to SOLAS Chapter IV, SOLAS Resolution XI-2/6 and COMSAR A.1001 (25). Dual use shipborne equipment must remain compliant with all relevant carriage requirements, in combination with LRIT, at all times.
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: Pole Star Space Applications Limited
Email: lrittesting@polestarglobal.com
(T) +44 20 7313 7400
(F) +44 20 7313 7401
-or-
TRANSAS Telematics Limited
Email: lrit@transas.com
(T) +46 31 769 56 80 (F) +46 31 69 41 84
For further information regarding LRIT compliance, contact David Friesem, at telephone + 1 703 251 2405 email lrit@liscr.com
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