This article was published in 25th edition of shipstechnic in 2009 refers to the functions of LRIT and its implications to the shipping industry.

1. LRIT (Long Range Identification and Tracking)
ANOOP.R.NAIR, Registro Italiano Navale
Abstract
Since long time some global system to link all the maritime data regarding the vessels in operation was a
need. Finally IMO has come up with the implementation of such a system onboard vessels which would
help the identification, tracking and also sharing the information of ships. This article is intended to give
an insight into the new regulation by the IMO regarding the introduction of LRIT as new navigational
equipment on board ships as per SOLAS Reg.V/19-1. Regulation V/19-1.4.1 specifies that ships constructed
on or after 31 December 2008 shall transmit LRIT information as from the date they enter service and for
ships constructed before 31 December 2008 provides a phased-in implementation schedule which is
dependant, inter alia, on the date on which the first survey of the radio installation of the ship becomes due
after 31 December 2008 and in the case of ships which operate exclusively in sea area A4 after 1 July
2009.This paper deals with the architecture of LRIT and also with the conformance testing of the shipboard
equipment. This paper deals mainly with the parameters to be taken care of in a surveyors’ perspective.
This paper also contains a Conformance test Checklist for the testing of the shipborne equipment which
was prepared on the basis of MSC Circulars and IMO regulations.
Introduction
On 19 May 2006 the International Maritime Organization adopted resolution
MSC.202(81) which required the establishment of an international system for the Long
range Identification and Tracking of ships (LRIT). This resolution amends chapter V of
the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), regulation 19-1 and
binds all governments which have contracted to the IMO. The regulation applies to ships
engaged on international voyages, especially for all passenger ships including high speed
crafts, cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and above and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units.
All vessels of 300 gross tonnage and above on international voyage will need to be
compliant with LRIT regulations. Compliance to LRIT is important. Some Governments
have indicated that they may not grant entry to their territorial waters, or to their ports, for
vessels that do not comply with LRIT.
The regulation entered into force on 1 January 2008 and is applicable to ships constructed
on or after 31 December 2008 with a phased-in implementation schedule for ships
constructed before 31 December 2008. LRIT is intended too be operational with respect
to the transmission of LRIT information by ships as from 31 December 2008. There is an
exemption for ships operating exclusively in sea area A1 from the requirement to
transmit LRIT information, since such ships are already fitted with AIS. It also identifies
which authorities may have access to LRIT information. These ships must automatically
report their position to their Flag Administration at least 4 times a day. Other contracting
governments may request information about vessels in which they have a legitimate
interest under the regulation.
Overview of LRIT
The Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system provides for the global
identification and tracking of ships. The LRIT system consists of

2. a) The shipborne LRIT information transmitting equipment,
b) The Communication Service Provider(s),
c) The Application Service Provider(s),
d) The LRIT Data Centre(s), including any related Vessel Monitoring System(s),
e) The LRIT Data Distribution Plan and
f) The International LRIT Data Exchange.
Certain aspects of the performance of the LRIT system are reviewed or audited by an
LRIT Coordinator acting on behalf of all Contracting Governments. Figure 1 provides
an illustration of the LRIT system architecture.
Figure-1
LRIT information is provided to Contracting Governments and Search and rescue
services entitled to receive the information, upon request, through a system of National,
Regional, Cooperative and International LRIT Data Centres, using where necessary, the
International LRIT Data Exchange. Each Administration should provide to the LRIT
Data Centre it has selected, a list of the ships entitled to fly its flag, which are required to
transmit LRIT information, together with other salient details and should update, without

3. undue delay, such lists as and when changes occur. Ships should only transmit the LRIT
information to the LRIT Data Centre selected by their Administration
a) The shipborne LRIT information transmitting equipment
The shipborne radio equipment shall be a part of the global maritime distress and safety
system (GMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids. The various requirements include.
1) Be capable of automatically and without human intervention on board the ship
transmitting the ship’s LRIT information at 6-hour intervals to an LRIT Data Centre
2) Be capable of being configured remotely to transmit LRIT information at variable
intervals
3) Be capable of transmitting LRIT information following receipt of polling commands
4) Interface directly to the shipborne global navigation satellite system equipment, or
have internal positioning capability
5) Be supplied with energy from the main and emergency source of electrical power
6) Be tested for electromagnetic compatibility taking into account the recommendations
developed by the organization
7) To be type approved by the administration.
Table-1 provides the functional requirements of a ship borne equipment.
Table-1
DATA TO BE TRANSMITTED FROM THE SHIPBORNE EQUIPMENT
Parameter Comments
Shipborne equipment
Identifier
The identifier used by the shipborne equipment
Positional data
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position (latitude and
longitude) of the ship (based on the WGS 84 datum).
Position: The equipment should be capable of transmitting the GNSS
position(latitude and longitude) of the ship (based on WGS 84 datum) as
prescribed by regulation V/19-1, without human interaction on board the
ship.
On-demand(1) position reports: The equipment should be capable of
responding to a request to transmit LRIT information on demand without
human interaction on board the ship, irrespective of where the ship is
located.
Pre-scheduled(2) position reports: The equipment should be capable of
being remotely configured to transmit LRIT information at intervals
ranging from a minimum of 15 min to periods of 6 h to the LRIT Data
Centre, irrespective of where the ship is located and without human
interaction on board the ship.
Time Stamp 1 The date and time(3) associated with the GNSS position. The equipment
should be capable of transmitting the time(3) associated with the GNSS
position with each transmission of LRIT information.
Notes (1) On-demand position reports means transmission of LRIT information as a result of either
receipt of polling command or of remote configuration of the equipment so as to transmit at
interval other than the preset ones.
(2) Pre-scheduled position reports means transmission of LRIT information at the preset
transmit intervals.
(3) All times should be indicated as Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).

4. The shipborne equipment should transmit the LRIT information using a communication
system which provides coverage in all areas where the ship operates. The shipborne
equipment should be set to automatically transmit the ship’s LRIT information at 6-hour
intervals to the LRIT Data Centre identified by the Administration, unless the LRIT Data
User requesting the provision of LRIT information specifies a more frequent transmission
interval. When a ship is undergoing repairs, modifications or conversions in dry-dock or
in port or is laid up for a long period, the master or the Administration may reduce the
frequency of the transmission LRIT information to one transmission every 24-hour
period, or may temporarily stop the transmission of such information.Figure-2 below
shows a sample Shipboard equipment manufactured by Blue tracker.
Fig-2
Shipborne Equipment
b) The Communication Service Provider(s)
Communications Service Providers (CSPs) provide services which link the various parts
of the LRIT system using communications protocols in order to ensure the end-to-end
secure transfer of the LRIT information. This requirement precludes the use of non-secure
broadcast systems. A CSP may also provide services as an ASP.
c) The Application Service Provider(s)
ASP s providing data to the National, regional or co-operative LRIT data centre should
be recognised by the Contracting Government and to an International LRIT Data Centre
should be recognized by the Committee. An ASP should provide a communication
protocol interface between the Communication Service Providers and the LRIT Data
Centre to enable the remote integration of the ship borne equipment into an LRIT Data
Centre, automatic configuration of transmission of LRIT information, automatic
modification of the interval of transmission of LRIT information, automatic suspension

5. of transmission of LRIT information, on demand transmission of LRIT information and
automatic recovery and management of transmission of LRIT information. They should
ensure that LRIT information is collected, stored and routed in a reliable and secure
manner. The ASP where used should add the data identified in Table-2 to each
transmission of LRIT information:
Table-2
DATA TO BE ADDED BY AN APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER
AND AT THE LRIT DATA CENTRE
Parameters Comments
Ship Identity The IMO ship identification number and MMSI for the ship.
Name of ship Name of the ship which has transmitted the LRIT information in the English
language using latin-1 alphabet and UTF-8 encoding.
Time Stamp 2 The date and time the transmission of LRIT information is received by the
ASP (if used).
Time Stamp 3 The date and time the received LRIT information is forwarded from the
ASP (if used) to the appropriate LRIT Data Centre.
LRIT Data Centre The identity of the LRIT Data Centre to be clearly indicated by a Unique
Identifier Identifier.
Time Stamp 4 The date and time the LRIT information is received by the LRIT Data
Centre.
Time Stamp 5 The date and time the transmission of LRIT information is forwarded from
the LRIT Data Centre to an LRIT Data User.
d) The LRIT data centre (s)
They collect LRIT information from ships instructed by their Administrations to transmit
the LRIT information to the centre. maintain a record of the ships which transmit LRIT
information to the centre including name of ship, IMO Ship identification number, call
sign and Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI). The response delay should be
a) for LRIT information archived within the last 4 days, send the LRIT information
within 30 min of receiving a request.
b) for LRIT information archived between 4 and 30 days previously, send the LRIT
information within 1 h of receiving a request.
c) for LRIT information archived more than 30 days previously, send the LRIT
information within 5 days of receiving a request.
A Contracting Government may establish a National LRIT Data Centre. A Contracting
Government establishing such a centre should provide relevant details to the
Organization and there after should, without undue delay, update the information
provided as and when changes occur. A group of Contracting Governments may establish
either a Regional or a Cooperative LRIT Data Centre. The arrangements for
establishing such a centre should be agreed amongst the Contracting Governments
concerned. One of the Contracting Governments establishing such a centre should
provide relevant details to the Organization and thereafter should, without undue delay,
update the information provided as and when changes occur. Upon request, National,
Regional and Cooperative LRIT Data Centres may provide services to Contracting
Governments other than those establishing the centre.

6. National, Regional and Cooperative LRIT Data Centres may also serve as a National,
Regional or Cooperative Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and may require, as VMS,
the transmission from ships of additional information, or of information at different
intervals, or of information from ships which are not required to transmit LRIT
information. VMS s may also perform other functions. If a National, Regional or
Cooperative LRIT Data Centre collects additional information from ships, it should
transmit only the required LRIT information to the other LRIT Data Centres through the
International LRIT Data Exchange.
An International LRIT Data Centre recognized by the Committee should be
established. Contracting Governments not participating in a National, Regional or
Cooperative LRIT Data Centre, or Contracting Governments having an interest in the
establishment of an International LRIT Data Centre should cooperate, under the
coordination of the Committee, with a view to ensuring its establishment.
e) The LRIT Data Distribution Plan
The LRIT Data Distribution Plan should include a list indicating the unique LRIT
identities of Contracting Governments, Search and rescue services entitled to receive
LRIT information, LRIT Data Centres, the International LRIT Data Exchange, ASPs, the
LRIT Data Distribution Plan server and the LRIT Coordinator. The LRIT Data
Distribution Plan server should comply with the Technical specifications for LRIT Data
Distribution Plan and with the relevant provisions of the Technical specifications for
communications within the LRIT system provided by the MSC resolutions.
The LRIT Data Distribution Plan server should:
- allow the International LRIT Data Exchange, the LRIT Data Centres and the LRIT
Coordinator to have access to the current version of the plan.
- provide earlier versions of the LRIT Data Distribution Plan to the International LRIT
Data Exchange, the LRIT Data Centres and the LRIT Coordinator upon request.
- use a standard protocol for communications and agreed protocols to connect with the
International LRIT Data Exchange and the LRIT Data Centres.
- use a standard secure transmission method with the International LRIT Data Exchange
and the LRIT Data Centres.
- use a standard and expandable message format for communicating with the
International LRIT Data Exchange and the LRIT Data Centres.
- use reliable connections (e.g., TCP) to ensure that the information in the plan is
successfully received by the International LRIT Data Exchange and the LRIT Data
Centres
- use industry standard file compression technology to reduce the size of the plan and its
incremental updates when these are downloaded by the International LRIT Data
Exchange and the LRIT Data Centres.
- provide for the submission of the geographical areas in a standard industry format and
use a consistent naming convention for the elements.
- provide for uploading of the geographical areas in batch files in Geography Markup
Language (GML) format.

7. - maintain a unique number for each published version of the plan, incrementing each
time a new version of the plan is published.
- provide for the downloading of the plan and its incremental updates by the LRIT Data
centers and the International LRIT Data Exchange on the publishing of a new version of
the plan.
- archive all published versions of the plan and its incremental updates.
- use a standard secure access method with the Contracting Governments and the LRIT
Coordinator.
- provide a web interface for the entry and amendment of information in the plan.
f) The International LRIT Data Exchange
The International LRIT Data Exchange should be connected to all LRIT Data Centres
and the LRIT Data Distribution Plan server. It should route LRIT information between
LRIT Data Centers using the information provided in the LRIT Data Distribution Plan. A
standard secure access method should be used.
LRIT system performance
LRIT information should be available to an LRIT Data User within 15 min of the time it
is transmitted by the ship. On-demand LRIT information should be provided to an LRIT
Data User within 30 min of the time the LRIT Data User requested the information.
The quality of service
= Number of delivered LRIT information meeting latency requirements x 100 %
Total number of LRIT information requests.
It should be:
- 95% of the time over any 24-hour period, and
- 99% over any 1 month.
LRIT Compliance
The LRIT Compliance dates are mentioned in Table-3.
Table-3
LRIT COMPLIANCE DATES
Construction Date Sea Areas Compliance Requirement
On/After 31 Dec 2008 All Areas Initial Survey
Before 31 Dec 2008
A1 (AIS fitted) No to Comply
A1 (AIS not fitted)
Not later than the first radio survey after
31 Dec 2008.
A1+A2
A1+A2+A3
A1+A2+A3+A4
A1+A2+A3+A4
(exclusively A4)
Not later than the first radio survey after
01 July 2009.

8. Conformance Test Report
A Conformance test report should be issued, on satisfactory completion of a conformance
test, by the Administration or the ASP who conducted the test acting on behalf of the
Administration.The Conformance test report should be considered as no longer valid if:
1. There is a change in the ship borne LRIT equipment;
2. The ship is transferred to the flag of another Contracting Government;
3. The ASP which has issued the Conformance test report has notified the
Administration or R.O. that is no longer in a position to attest the validity of the
report; and
4. The Administration has withdrawn the recognition or authorization of the ASP
which conducted the test.
All vessels should have the conformance test report on board.
Conformance Test Checklist
The test requirements, procedures and acceptance criteria for the ship borne equipment is
given in Table-4

9. Table-4
SHIPBORNE EQUIPMENT TEST CRITERIA
CTN
SHIPBORNE EQUIPMENT TEST
Requirement Procedure Acceptance
EL 1 Equipment activation into ASP system
ASP issue activation command
(only for transfer of flag)
CSP Acknowledgement
1
Establish certified sea areas from
certificates
(SAFCON,SAFRAD,SAFPAS)
Verify Administrative document Declaration from Ship Owner
2 Automatic transmission of LRIT Verify at site Validate from CTN 9 results
3
Presence of equipment identity in received
LRIT information
Verify at site Validate from CTN 9 results
4 a Latitude/Longitude present in information Verify at site Validate from CTN 9 results
4 b GNSS position based on WGS84 datum Verify at site IMO guideline compliance
5 a Date/Time in received information Verify at site Validate from CTN 9 results
5 b
The equipment date and time information
is in UTC
Verify at site
ASP confirm based on message with
time /date stamp(as per MEM code 11)
5 c Transmits time stamp relative to position. Verify at site
ASP confirm based on message with
time /date stamp(as per MEM code 11)
6 Type approved Verify Administrative document
Statement of Conformity by ASP
followed by certificate of compliance
with administration.
7 On board switch off
ASP outbound Program-Stop
command
Nil LRIT information transmitted
within 90 min
8 Testing for electromagnetic compatibility
Verify Administrative document
(Refer Res.A.694(17),A.813(19))
Conformation from
Manufacturer/technical Specification.
9 a
Re-configured to automatically transmit
LRIT information at 15 min intervals
ASP issuance of Start-15 min
reporting command
Confirm by receipt of 48 consecutive
15-Min automatic transmission
9 b
Re-configured to automatically transmit
LRIT information at 60 min intervals
ASP issuance of Start-60 min
reporting command
Confirm by receipt of 12 consecutive
60-Min automatic transmission
9 c
Automatically transmit LRIT information
at 6-h intervals
Verify Administrative document
Conformation from Manufacturer /
ASP/technical Specification.
9 d
Re-configured to automatically transmit
LRIT information at 24-h intervals
Verify Administrative document
Conformation from Manufacturer /
ASP/technical Specification.
9 e
Information available within 15 min of
transmission.
Comparison of UTC time stamp
generated with UTC time stamp
received
Validate from CTN 9a and 9b results
10
ASP issues poll command and receipt of
information within 30 min
ASP issuance of a Send-Request
for Position command
Confirm receipt of 1 pole transmission
within 30 min.
11
Interface with ship borne global
navigation satellite / Internal Position
capability
Verify Administrative document
Conformation from Manufacturer /
ASP/technical Specification of
GPS./Ship Owner if GPS is external
12
Energy from main and emergency power
source (except for INMARSAT-C)
Verify Administrative document Declaration from Ship Owner
13
Automatic and reliable transmission from
ASP to CSP
Verify Administrative document
Verify with ASP (communication links
from the terminal - satellite - CSP -
ASP)
EL 2
Deactivated and released from LRIT
system
ASP issuance of deactivation
command
CSP declaration received

10. Duration of testing
Based upon the equipment requirements testing matrix, the test requirements, the
procedures, the acceptance criteria and the acceptable tolerances detailed in this annex,
the Table-5 provides information on the estimated duration of the conformance testing:
Table-4
SHIPBORNE EQUIPMENT TEST CRITERIA
CTN Tolerances Maximum Duration
EL 1 3 attempts separated by a minimum of 15 min 45 min
1-6 None 0 min
7 3 attempts separated by a minimum of 15 min 45 min + wait 90 min
8 None 0 min
9 a
3 attempts separated by a minimum of 15 min
Acceptable results: a minimum of 40 out of 48
45 min
720 min (12 h)
9 b
3 attempts separated by a minimum of 15 min
Acceptable results: a minimum of 10 out of 12
45 min
720 min (12 h)
9 c-9 e None 0 min
10 3 attempts separated by a minimum of 15 min 45 min
EL 2 3 attempts separated by a minimum of 15 min 45 min
TOTAL 30 h
Conclusion
With the implementation of LRIT, the IMO has taken a giant leap in bringing the entire
maritime community under one roof. This regulation would help the growth of maritime
world in a larger extent. By the introduction of such a tracking aid, all the vessels
operating in the international waters could be tracked easily. Thus the fear of loss of a
vessel suddenly in the deep waters would be a myth from now onwards, thus giving the
owners something to cheer at. This paper succeeds at simplifying the Conformance
testing of the ship borne equipment by preparation of a simplified Checklist (table-4),
which also has a large scope of improvement in the future.
Reference
1. RINA Technical updating Meeting 2008,LRIT.ppt,Genova 12 Dec 2008,pp 1-30.
2. IMO Resolution MSC.202 (81), LRIT Regulation, 19 May 2006, pp 1-6.
3. IMO Resolution MSC.211 (81), LRIT Timely Establishment, 19 May 2006, pp 2.
4. IMO Resolution MSC.263 (84), Revised performance standards and functional
requirements for the LRIT of Ships, 16 May 2008, pp 3-19.
5. IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1296, Guidance on the survey and certification of
compliance of ships with the requirement to transmit LRIT information, 8 Dec
2008, pp 8-18.
6. IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1298, Guidance on implementation of LRIT system, 8
Dec 2008, pp 2-9.

11. Nomenclature
AIS Automatic Identification System
ASP Application Service Provider
CSP Communication Service Provider
CTN Conformance Test Number
EL Equipment Lifecycle
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress Safety System
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
IMO International Maritime Organisation
MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity
MSC Maritime Safety Committee
RO Recognised Organisations
SAFCON Safety Construction
SAFPAS Safety Passenger
SAFRAD Safety Radio
UTC Coordinated Universal Time
UTF Unicode Transformation Format
VMS Vessel Monitoring System
WGS Wideband Global SATCOM