U.S. vessel tracking system opens next week

 The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday that operation of a Long Range Identification and Tracking System, mandated by the International Maritime Organization, will begin Dec. 31.

   The Coast Guard will also start operating a U.S. National Data Center in Martinsburg, W.Va. on the same day, which will be responsible for the collection, dissemination and management of all LRIT data submitted by U.S.-flagged vessels subject to LRIT regulations. In addition, the data center will collect foreign-flagged vessel LRIT information from other data centers.

   Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the Coast Guard will examine both foreign and U.S. flagged vessels subject to LRIT regulations to determine the status of compliance.  

Source: American Shipper