Audit of the LRIT

LRIT is a system that provides the global identification and tracking of ships to enhance security of shipping and for the purposes of safety and marine environment protection.

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

In 2006, IMSO was appointed by IMO as the LRIT Co-ordinator (MSC 82/24). The LRIT Co-ordinator performs the functions and duties specified in the performance standards, as approved by IMO.

In order to perform its functions and duties in the LRIT system, IMSO audits the International Data Exchange (IDE) and 71 LRIT Data Centres providing ship tracking, identification and information sharing services to 123 SOLAS Contracting Governments, 12 Territories and Special Administrative Regions, on an annual basis, ensuring that the system operates within the defined parameters.

In performing the LRIT audits, the Organization follows the guidelines established by IMO. Furthermore, IMSO developed an iterative audit process which includes data and business analysis. This process is supported by data science tools and the audit software developed and maintained by the Organization.

The audit process aims to contribute to the stability of the LRIT system for all Administrations by providing timely information to the LRIT Data Centres, thus helping them to bring their systems into compliance.

Upon the finalisation of the audit, IMSO immediately reports to the audited LRIT Data Centres and the IDE. It then provides the reports to IMO through the Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) Sub-Committee. Furthermore, any major findings are communicated to the LRIT Governance Body.