REQUIREMENTS FOR LRIT COMPLIANCE

The Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system is a mandatory international ship reporting system established under Chapter V, Regulation 19-1 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).  

LRIT supports maritime security, navigation, search and rescue (SAR) operations, and the protection of the marine environment.  

Regulatory Reference: SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19-1; IMO Resolution MSC.263(84), as amended (Revised Performance Standards and Functional Requirements for LRIT); and IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1307/Rev.1 (Guidance on the Survey and Certification of Compliance of Ships with the Requirement to Transmit LRIT Information). 

Applicability 

LRIT requirements apply to the following vessels engaged on international voyages: 

• Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft; 

• Cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage (GT) and above; and 

• Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) 

LRIT Reporting Requirements 

Ships subject to LRIT must automatically transmit: 

• Vessel identity; 

• Vessel position (latitude and longitude); 

• Date and time of the position report. 

The standard reporting interval is every six hours (four transmissions per day), unless a more frequent reporting interval is lawfully requested by an authorized authority in accordance with IMO requirements. 

Compliance Dates 

Ships are required to be fitted with LRIT equipment in accordance with SOLAS Regulation V/19-1: 

• Ships constructed on or after 31 December 2008 must be fitted with compliant LRIT equipment. 

• Ships constructed before 31 December 2008 and certified for operations in Sea Areas A1, A2 or A3 were required to comply not later than the first radio survey after 31 December 2008. 

• Ships constructed before 31 December 2008 and certified for operations in Sea Area A4 were required to comply not later than the first radio survey after 1 July 2009.