Pole Star, Long-Range Identification and Tracking

Ship Operator Obligations

All the ship operator has to do is provide shipborne equipment which complies with the LRIT regulation, have it conformance tested and obtain a LRIT Conformance Test Report (certificate).

To ensure that all ships’ LRIT terminals actually work in January 2009, every terminal allocated for LRIT must undergo a LRIT Conformance Testing (LRIT-CT) during the next six months. The testing programme will give ship operators time to replace or upgrade any equipment that fails the test.

All shipborne LRIT equipment must be tested and certified by a Recognised Testing ASP or an Authorised Testing ASP appointed by your Flag.

Authorised Testing ASPs will also, on behalf of the Flag, be able to issue LRIT Conformance Test Reports (certificates) for terminals that pass the test. LRIT Conformance Test Report (certificate) for LRIT terminals will be required for radio surveys and inspection from 31 December 2008.

You should arrange to test your equipment as soon as possible.

What systems and equipment will be used for LRITtop of page

Inmarsat C, which includes mini-C, will be the primary system used for LRIT as it is a reliable, proven system and the majority of ships required to comply with the regulation are already fitted with LRIT compatible Inmarsat C GMDSS or mini-C equipment. Therefore, most owners will not have to invest in new equipment – which was one of the IMO’s goals when designing the LRIT regulation.

However, there are currently three systems and equipment types which satisfy all the conformance requirements of the LRIT regulation: Inmarsat C/mini-C, Skywave/DMR-800LRIT, and Iridium/E.M.A.- Blue Tracker LRIT, Faria – WatchDog 750, CLS Thorium – LRIT-TST-100 and Trident – Polaris.

For more information about LRIT facts for ship owners, please download the pdf.

Contact us to find out more
Flag Administrations: For more information please contact: flaginfo@lrit.com
Ship Owners: For more information please contact: shipinfo@lrit.com