LRIT - Long Range Identification & Tracking
See IMO's LRIT documents (MSC.1-Circ. 1257 and MSC.263(84)) here . Note that the above mentioned documents revokes the former resolutions MSC.210(81) and MSC.254(83).
All SOLAS vessels must be LRIT capable by 31st December 2008
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted an amendment to Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS), which introduces new mandatory position reporting obligations for SOLAS ships. It is called Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and requires vessels to automatically transmit identity and position with date/time at 6-hour intervals.
LRIT came into force on January 1st 2008 with compliance required by 31st December 2008. Vessels required to comply are:
- Passenger ships, including high-speed craft
- Cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards
- Mobile offshore drilling units.
This improvement in navigation and logistical capabilities may not require any significant investment from shipowners or operators as the majority of affected vessels already comply with LRIT performance standards, they may just not know it...
Inmarsat C has been chosen as the main LRIT data transmission platform. This system is already used by merchant and fishing vessels for tracking by a vessel's owner/operator. It has proven its capabilities in safety and security applications with extensive use for both GMDSS and Ship Safety Alert System (SSAS) and is in fact the only satellite system allowed for GMDSS use.
The majority of vessels already have the tools on board to comply with LRIT. However, GMDSS and SSAS terminals will have to meet a certain performance standard to be suitable for LRIT use. Ship LRIT equipment must be capable of being configured to transmit the following minimum information in an Automatically Generated Position Report (APR):
- Ship identity
- Ship position
- Date and time of the position
Ship LRIT equipment must also be able to respond to requests from member states and LRIT data centres for immediate position reports and be able to change the time interval between reports to a maximum frequency of every 15 minutes
As there is no type approval process or any other formal certification, it is left to the flag state administration to test and certify LRIT terminals for their given flag. This is done in relation to the stringent LRIT performance standard set by IMO. This is done remotely and will in most cases only require the ship owner / operator to supply Inmasat C information upon request.
Most existing Inmarsat C terminals, including the entire Thrane & Thrane mini-C range, are capable of providing the required LRIT information although a certain percentage will not be suitable unless updates are applied. It is possible that a specific configuration or minor installation problems can affect a terminal's ability to transmit the LRIT signals, or even be updated to transmit the signal. So considering the high penalties for LRIT non-compliance, which could be tens of thousands of dollars per day in some cases, it is vital for vessel's to start preparing for the 31st December 2008 LRIT deadline immediately.
There is currently no testing of a vessel's terminals offered by the authorities. In order to assist our customers in preparing for LRIT Thrane & Thrane now offers a unique service that provides any owner or operator of SAILOR equipment suited for LRIT, with a free of charge remote test of existing equipment to determine if it meets the LRIT performance standard. Please contact your local Thrane & Thrane distributor for more information
Although existing SAILOR SSAS, GMDSS and mini-C [make links to each area as above] terminals should indeed be capable of transmitting LRIT signals, for reasons such as redundancy, maintenance and operational efficiency, some vessels may wish to install a standalone LRIT terminal. To accommodate this need Thrane & Thrane has introduced the SAILOR TT-3000 LRIT stand-alone solution, which is available now. Find out more about this low-priced industry first here [make link to standalone terminal page].
The LRIT System
The LRIT system (IMO Performance Standards for LRIT (MSC.210(81)) consists of the ship borne LRIT information transmitting equipment, the Communication Service Provider(s), the Application Service Provider(s), the LRIT Data Centre(s), including any related Vessel Monitoring System(s), the LRIT Data Distribution Plan and the International LRIT Data Exchange. LRIT data will be sent via satellite to a network of National, Regional, Co-operative and International LRIT Data Centres. Position reports will be made available (to purchase) via an International Data Exchange (IDE) to member states and other stakeholders when a vessel is within 1000 nautical miles of that state's coastline.
Every flag state will be responsible for its own vessel's LRIT data through National LRIT Data Centres. This ensures the security of a vessel's information in that the data will only be viewed by organisations that have a valid reason to do so.
Thrane & Thrane has played a key role in developing the LRIT architecture and is offering a solution to Flag States to initiate and manage National LRIT Data Centres.
The proven classic C and versatile mini-C platforms from Thrane & Thrane is the backbone of the SOALS fleets LRIT equipment with the prolific SSAS and GMDSS types being the ones set to bear most of the global LRIT position reporting. The SAILOR TT-3000SSA and SAILOR TT-3000E will form the basis of LRIT compliant Thrane & Thrane transceivers, but is joined by the stand-alone SAILOR TT-3000LRIT transceiver that offers inexpensive LRIT compliance along with the renowned SAILOR quality. Furthermore the quite substantial number of SAILOR TT-3020C currently in operation also meets LRIT requirements thereby giving you a wide range of products to meet requirements. In connection with implementation of LRIT Thrane & Thrane recommends the check and update transceiver software versions to ensure maximum reliability and functionality.
SAILOR TT-3000LRIT
A low-cost, stand-alone Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) solution
Inmarsat C has been chosen as the main on board LRIT data transmission platform, meaning the majority of vessels required to comply already have compatible equipment on board in the form of GMDSS or SSAS. However, it is predicted that approximately 20% of vessels carrying this equipment, for reasons of the equipment design or installation issues will not be able to use it for LRIT reporting.
There is also a certain percentage of vessels that for redundancy and operational efficiency reasons will choose not to utilise their existing on board equipment and instead choose to install a dedicated LRIT transceiver.
In light of the financial, technical and operational issues, Thrane & Thrane offers a dedicated SAILOR LRIT mini-C transceiver. This highly reliable system, built to the same exacting standards as all SAILOR products guarantees low-cost, hassle-free compliance for the ship-owner/operator regardless of the ship's flag.
SAILOR TT-3000LRIT
The SAILOR TT-3000LRIT is a cost-effective, fit-and-forget system comprising just three parts:
- Mini-C transceiver
- Connection Cable
- Pole Mount
Ease of installation is a key factor for standalone LRIT transceivers, and therefore the only thing needed to make the system operational, and make the vessel LRIT compliant is to connect the transceiver to power via the standard mini-C cable. With such simple installation, it is possible to save money further through self-installing by ship's engineers.
The transceiver is preloaded with a dedicated LRIT configuration that enables it to be used for LRIT only, ensuring stability and making it virtually tamper proof. To cater for every possible installation need, there is a choice of either a 20m or 50m connection cable.
SAILOR TT-3000LRIT 20m cable
SAILOR TT-3000LRIT 50m cable
Once the SAILOR TT-3000LRIT is on board, owners and operators can be confident that their vessel is fully compliant with LRIT standards, without the problems of testing and updating that may arise from utilising existing onboard equipment for LRIT.
