EMSA takes control of LRIT
The IDE, now operated by EMSA, acts as a ‘switchboard’ relaying position reports between data centres.
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has taken over operation of the International Data Exchange (IDE), the central node of the global Long Range Identification and Tracking system (LRIT), from the US Coast Guard.
Every six hours, seven days a week, SOLAS compliant merchant ships transmit LRIT position and voyage information via satellite, to data centres, established globally by their flag state. The data allows maritime authorities to monitor their countries’ fleets for safety, security and environmental purposes. The flag state subsequently makes the information available to other participating states upon request. The IDE, now operated by EMSA, acts as a ‘switchboard’ relaying position reports between data centres. It also controls access rights and monitors system availability.
As stated above, LRIT is not applicable to non SOLAS vessels (<300gt) and when asked by MJ, EMSA stated they had no information on the use of LRIT outside the IMO SOLAS mandatory framework.
It may be of use, however, to clarify the difference between LRIT and AIS (Automatic Identification System), more common among smaller vessels. AIS uses constant stream radio signals for transmission rather than satellite used for LRIT. The latter has its roots in the call for greater maritime security post-9/11, while AIS was introduced essentially as an aid to collision avoidance. AIS paints more of a local picture, now used extensively as part of VTS and river and canal monitoring services and is also the basis of the EU’s SafeSeaNet system. AIS is restricted to the VHF range of other ships and coastal monitoring stations, although trials are underway with satellite based AIS systems which would provide global coverage.
Users of AIS will be familiar with the phenomenon of individual vessels switching their system off for various reasons, including commercial sensitivity considerations, also where inaccurate and outdated information appears in the non-automated fields where manual information is entered. An important difference with LRIT is that data is delivered closed, via encrypted satellite channels, to flag state data centres rather than coastal stations and other vessels, with flag state access rules determined at the IMO.
By Peter Barker
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