1 The Maritime Safety Committee (the Committee),
at its eighty-fifth session (26 November to 5 December 2008), considered
a number of issues relating to the transmission of LRIT information
by certain types of ships, questions in relation to granting exemptions
and equivalents and certain operation matters in relation to the transmission
of LRIT information and approved the Guidance in relation to certain
types of ships which are required to transmit LRIT information, on
exemptions and equivalents and certain operational matters (the Guidance),
as set out in the annex.
2 The Committee also agreed to keep the Guidance
under review and amend it as and when the circumstances so warrant.
3 SOLAS Contracting Governments are invited to
bring the present circular and its annex to the attention of recognized
organizations which they have authorized to act on their behalf and
to provide to such recognized organizations any necessary further
guidance and instruction so as to ensure that the objectives of this
circular are achieved.
4 SOLAS Contracting Governments are also invited
to bring the present circular and its annex to the attention of Companies
operating, and masters of, ships entitled to fly their flag which
are required to transmit LRIT information and to provide to such Companies
and masters any necessary further guidance and instruction so as to
ensure that the objectives of this circular are achieved.
5 SOLAS Contracting Governments, international
organizations and non-governmental organizations with consultative
status are also invited to bring to the attention of the Committee,
at the earliest opportunity, the results of the experience gained
from the use of the Guidance for consideration of action to be taken.