Safety and security requirements
Inmarsat’s Maritime Safety Services team works closely with all organisations involved in the safety and security of ships and personnel.

We advise on methods of using Inmarsat services and networks to comply with the following safety and security requirements for ships at sea

Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS)
The SSAS is used by ships to transmit a security alert to a competent authority when the security of the ship is under threat or has been compromised.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) legislation states that the ship’s security alert system shall:

Be initiated by pressing a dedicated SSAS button and transmitting a ship-to-shore security alert to a competent authority designated by the administration, which may include the company, identifying the ship, its location and indicating that the security of the ships is under threat or has been compromised
Not send the ship security alert to any other ships
Not raise any alarm on board the ship, and
Continue the ship security alert until deactivated and/or reset.
SSAS is not part of the GMDSS communication requirements but its equipment can be used to support the system.

Ship security alerts can be sent using Inmarsat C and Mini C, and relevant hardware and software can be added to the existing GMDSS terminals to support the service. Dedicated SSAS models are also available from MES manufacturers.

Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) of ships
LRIT is not part of the GMDSS communication requirements either but its equipment – particularly Inmarsat C or Mini C terminals – can also be used to support the system.

LRIT is the subject of a new SOLAS regulation included in Chapter V which applies to ships constructed after 31 December 2008 with a phased-in implementation time for existing ships. Ships trading exclusively within sea area A1 and fitted with AIS are exempt from LRIT requirements.

The LRIT information that ships are required to transmit includes its position and the date and time to contracting governments and administrations.

The LRIT equipment on board ships must interface directly to the ship’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment, or have an internal positioning capability.

Regulations require that by default LRIT reports should be transmitted every six hours to the LRIT Data Centre with frequency of transmission to be controlled remotely, allowing for reports to increase as security levels change up to a rate of one report every 15 minutes.

The SOLAS regulation on LRIT establishes a multilateral agreement for sharing LRIT information between SOLAS contracting governments for security and search and rescue purposes. It maintains the right of flag states to protect information about the ships entitled to fly their where appropriate, while allowing coastal states access to information about ships navigating off their coasts.