AIS v LRIT

What is the difference between AIS and LRIT?

AIS, which stands for Automatic Identification System, is a system that sends ship identification
information via radio (VHF).An electronic transmitter is installed on a vessel. It continuously transmits a
VHF signal containing information such as the vessel name, call sign, vessel type, longitude and latitude.
The information is broadcast and is publicly available. AIS transmitters are attached to navigational aids
such as buoys and lighthouses to assist in navigation.An AIS receiver mounted on another craft or on
land is able to receive the information.AIS works best over a range of a few miles as the AIS signal is
more or less limited to line of sight to the horizon (up to 40 nautical miles and about 10-20 miles in
practise).Coverage is not complete or continuous. AIS receivers are only available in certain areas
around the world, for example, Europe is well covered for AIS but Africa is not. AIS is mostly land based
but there are some trials taking place now using AIS receivers placed on low orbiting satellites.
For now, AIS coverage is not global.AIS is used by coast guards, maritime authorities, port states and
other vessels to monitor maritime traffic. It is a valuable navigation device and is used by crew to
determine course, speed and is used as an anti-collision tool. It is also used in Search And Rescue
scenarios for pinpointing the location of a vessel.As AIS data is visible and public, it is available to anyone
to use and is free to anyone with an AIS receiver. This can be witnessed on the internet by accessing
web sites that are supported by ship enthusiasts around the world:
e.g. www.aisliverpool.org.uk or www.marinetraffic.com.
The end result is a public display showing all vessels transmitting an AIS signal within range of a VHF
receiver.The International Maritime Organization requires that all ships of 300 tonnes or more, and all
passenger ships regardless of size, are fitted with AIS.
LRIT, which stands for Long Range Identification and Tracking of vessels, is a secure system, where the
data that is transmitted from the vessel is available and visible only to the Flag State to which the vessel
is registered. As the data is transmitted via satellite there is a transmission cost involved, which is paid for
by the Flag State.The system is not a navigational aid but is intended to provide increased maritime
domain awareness and therefore security.The data is owned by the Flag State and is not available to any
other party unless the Flag State makes it available. The data is provided free of charge to Search and
Rescue Centres to assist in rescue scenarios. Some Flag States opt to provide the data to military forces
patrolling high risk areas, such as the Indian Ocean, to assist in the prevention of piracy at sea. LRIT can
also be used by the Flag State to assist in monitoring for pollution of the environment and protecting
fishing grounds.LRIT data coverage is global. LRIT position data is transmitted via satellite, giving full
global coverage from any point on the earths surface (including sea area A4).The data cannot be
intercepted by a third party and the crew are not necessarily aware that the data is being transmitted and
as such it is invisible.The International Maritime Organization requires that all ships of 300 tonnes or
more, engaged on international voyages are fitted with an LRIT transmitter.
LRIT

AIS

Satellite

VHF

Global

Only where AIS coverage is provided

Secure Data

Public Data

Position, IMO Number, Date Time Position, IMO Number, Date Time, Vessel Type, Speed, Course
Unlimited range

Line of sight, up to 40NM

Flag State Owns Data

Anyone can see data

Maritime Security and Awareness Navigation and Anti collision Tool