Thursday 28 March 2024

SafeMed Workshop generates awareness about the LRIT system

A SafeMed II Project Regional Workshop on the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) was recently held at Lisbon Headquarters of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to increase awareness about the LRIT system, including its architecture, components, and the legal obligations to which Administrations and ship owners are subject.

Twenty-one participants from 12 SafeMed Beneficiaries attended the Workshop. This was organised by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) – the implementing body of the EU-funded SafeMed II Project, in close cooperation with EMSA.

“The LRIT system is a sophisticated vessel monitoring tool with numerous important applications. Through the use of satellite technology, LRIT is capable of providing States with information about vessels operating under their flag, vessels seeking entry to a port within their territory, and vessels operating in proximity to the State’s coastline, said SafeMed II Project Officer Captain Joseph Zerafa. “Moreover, this information is graphically illustrated and made easily accessible to States via an online user interface.”

During the Workshop, the main applications of LRIT were also discussed. Other aspects tackled were LRIT’s role in enhancing maritime security, assisting search and rescue missions, and the protection of the marine environment by assisting in the identification of polluting ships and the coordination of clean up missions in the event of pollution incidents.

Speakers from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the Canadian Coast Guard, the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), and the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), delivered presentations. Participants engaged in an exchange of views and practical sessions and also updated the Workshop on their respective Administrations’ experiences with the LRIT system.

The SafeMed II Project is a €5.5 million EU-financed regional effort to enhance Euro-Mediterranean co-operation in the field of maritime safety and security, prevention of pollution from ships and marine environmental issues.

More information about the SafeMed II Project is available on the Project’s website at www.safemedproject.org

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