The Marshall Islands issued a marine notice which provides clarification on the requirements for Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), with which Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)-flagged ships must comply.
In particular, the notice reminds that ships must comply with the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) regulations, and be fitted with a terminal that is to transmit the information automatically. According to the IMO, LRIT conformance testing of shipborne terminals is mandatory.
The notice also includes information with regards to the Terminal LRIT Conformance Testing. For ships constructed before 31 December 2008, the shipborne terminal LRIT conformance test must be:
- conducted as soon as possible, but at least three months before the date on which a ship would need to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of SOLAS V/19- 1; and
- satisfactorily completed before the Record of Equipment being endorsed to document compliance with the requirements relating to the LRIT system.
For ships constructed on or after 31 December 2008, the shipborne terminal conformance test must be:
- conducted after completing the initial survey of the radio installation in accordance with the provisions of SOLAS I/7(a)(i) or I/9(a)(i), provided such survey has indicated that, as far as the radio installation is concerned, the ship meets the related requirements for the issue of a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, or a Cargo Ship Safety Certificate; and
- satisfactorily completed before issuing a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, or a Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, as required, endorsed to document compliance with the requirements relating to the LRIT system.
