IMSML Website Article 19/2023: Resolution MSC.263(84)/Rev.1 – Performance Standards and Functional Requirements for The Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships, Part 2 of 10 - Paragraph 4, Shipborne Equipment

This is Second Part (of a 10 part article series) on Resolution MSC.263(84)/Rev.1. Part 2 of 10 will focus on Shipborne Equipment in Paragraph 4.

The Six Pillars of Paragraph 4

Paragraph 4 is largely based on Resolution A.694(17) which is titled ‘Recommendations on general requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids’. There are 6 pillars on which the equipment in Paragraph 4 is built on:

[1] be capable of automatically and without human intervention on board the ship transmitting the ship's LRIT information at 6-hour intervals to an LRIT Data Centre, see Paragraph 4.1.1;

[2] be capable of being configured remotely to transmit LRIT information at variable intervals, see Paragraph 4.1.2;

[3] be capable of transmitting LRIT information following receipt of polling commands, see Paragraph 4.1.3;

[4] interface directly to the shipborne global navigation satellite system equipment, or have internal positioning capability, see Paragraph 4.1.4;

[5] be supplied with energy from the main and emergency source of electrical power, see Paragraph 4.1.5; and …

Note: There are limitations to this provision. Ships using transmission of LRIT information of any radio communication provided for compliance with the provisions of Chapter IV. In such instances, sources of energy as specified in Regulation IV/13 should be provided.

[6] be tested for electromagnetic compatibility taking into account the recommendations developed by the Organization, see Paragraph 4.1.6.

Note: For the recommendations, refer to Resolution A.813(19) on General Requirements for Electromagnetic Compatibility of All Electrical and Electronic Ship’s Equipment.

Table 1 - Data to be Transmitted from the Shipborne Equipment

This table has two columns: One on the ‘parameter’ and the other for ‘comments’.

[1] Shipborne equipment identifier. This is the identifier used by Shipborne equipment.

[2] Positional data. This is based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position (latitude and longitude) of the ship (based on the WGS 84 datum). This includes data on the position of the ship, on-demand position reports (either receipt of polling command or of remote configuration, transmitting at intervals other than pre-set), and pre-scheduled position reports (ie transmission of LRIT information at the preset intervals).

[3] Time Stamp 1. This concerns the date and time associated with the GNSS position. Note: All times are indicated in accordance with Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).

The Rest of Paragraph 4

A communication system that covers all areas where the ship operates should have shipborne equipment that should transmit LRIT Information, see Paragraph 4.3. Automatic transmission of the ship’s LRIT information at 6 hour intervals could be made to the LRIT Data Centre (identified by the Administration). In exceptional circumstances, the LRIT Data User can request the provision of LRIT Information that uses a more frequent transmission interval, see Paragraph 4.4.

Under Paragraph 4.4.1, the frequency of the LRIT information transmission maybe reduced to one transmission every 24-hours period, or even stopped, where:

[1] The ship is in dry-dock undergoing repairs, modification or conversion;

[2] The ship is in port or laid-up for a long period.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 19/2023

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 20/2023: Resolution MSC.263(84)/Rev.1 – Performance Standards and Functional Requirements for The Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships, Part 3 of 10 - Paragraph 5, Application Service Providers

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Monday, 18 September 2023

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my