Long-Range Identification and Tracking
Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), a system for identification and tracking over large distances , is a requirement for ships to transmit identification data over a greater distance than before on request.
As a result of the increased safety requirements since 2001, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided in May 2006 to include new provisions in the SOLAS regulations for the safety of shipping. The extension applies only to the procedure, and therefore does not require adjustment of the existing Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
LRIT prescribes broadcasting the following identification data that can be queried worldwide:
- Ship identification
- position
- time
From December 31, 2008, all watercraft from 300 GT (Gross Tonnage) including drilling rigs must be equipped with LRIT. The data may only be requested by the ship operators, the port operators and the coast guard within a 1000 nautical mile zone off the coast and sea rescue services (SAR).
Furthermore, the position data is regularly requested from the flag state under whose flag the ship is sailing.
The LRIT hardware (mostly an Inmarsat C terminal e.g. Sailor TT320 or 6110) is tested annually and / or when there is a change of owner, name or flag and a CTR (Conformance Test Report) is issued.
This is where LRIT differs from AIS . AIS transmits unencrypted with a limited range to prevent ship collisions.
Ships that only operate in sea area A1 are exempt from the obligation to identify using LRIT . Their data can be obtained by the AIS.
Technically, the service is provided via the Inmarsat-C or Iridium satellite systems. A shortwave - or SSB usage is technically possible.