The LRIT system provides for the global identification and tracking of ships utilizing the INMARSAT Satellite system.

The LRIT system consists of 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. Certain aspects of the performance of the LRIT system are reviewed and audited by an LRIT coordinator acting on behalf of all Contracting Governments.

The 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 Centers, using where necessary, the International LRIT Data Exchange.

The obligations of ships to transmit LRIT information and the rights and obligations of Contracting Governments and of Search and Rescue services to receive LRIT information are established in Regulation V/19-1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

SOLAS V/19-1 Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) came into force on 1 January 2008 with compliance date of 31 December 2008. The regulation applies to ships engaged on international voyages, including passenger ships, cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and above, and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs).

The regulation requires that the compliance of all ship borne equipment must be tested and certified by a recognised testing authority. Pole Star, an UK based company have recently been appointed by NMSA as recognised testing authority to carry out conformance testing for ship borne equipment.

The shipowners' and operators' obligation is to ensure provision of compliant ship borne equipment capable of transmitting LRIT information.

Diagram showing how Long Range Identification and Tracking System works.

Each Administration should decide to which Data Centre ships entitled to fly its flag are required to transmit LRIT information.

Each Administration should provide to the selected Data Centre the following information for each of the ships entitled to fly its flag:

1. Name of Ship
2. IMO Ship identification number
3. Call sign; and
4. Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)

Upon the transfer of the flag of ship from another State, the Administration whose flag the ship is now entitled to fly should provide, without undue delay, to the selected Data Centre in addition the following information: