MSC.1/Circ.1294
LONG-RANGE IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING SYSTEM
(8
December 2008)
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
(PART II)
1.
The Maritime Safety Committee (the Committee), at its eighty-fifth session (26
November to 5 December 2008), for the benefit of SOLAS Contracting Governments
and, in particular, of those involved in the establishment, testing and
operation of components of the LRIT system, approved:
.1 Protocols and
arrangements for the prototype, development, integration and modification
testing phases of the LRIT system;
.2 Procedures for the
notification, reporting and recording of temporary suspensions of operations or
reduction of the service provided; and
.3 Procedures for the
consideration of proposals for the amendment of technical specifications for
the LRIT system, the XML schemas and the test procedures and test cases,
which
collectively are referred to as Technical documentation (Part II), as set out
in the annex.
2.
The Technical documentation (Part II) should always be read together with SOLAS
regulation V/19-1, the Revised performance standards and functional
requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships adopted by
resolution MSC.263(84) and Technical documentation (Part I) which is set out in
MSC.1/Circ.1259 on Interim revised Technical specifications for the LRIT
system.
3.
The Committee also agreed to keep the Technical documentation (Part II) under
review and to amend it as and when the circumstances so warrant.
4.
SOLAS Contracting Governments are invited to bring the present circular and its
annex to the attention of those engaged in the establishment, testing and
operation of their LRIT Data Centres.
5.
The United States, as provider of the International LRIT Data Exchange on an
interim basis, is invited to bring the present circular and its annex to the
attention of those involved with the operation of the International LRIT Data
Exchange.
6.
SOLAS Contracting Governments, international organizations, non-governmental
organizations with consultative status, the LRIT Coordinator, LRIT Data Centres
acting through the SOLAS Contracting Government(s) which have established them
and the International LRIT Data Exchange acting through the United States, 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 Technical
documentation (Part II) for consideration of action to be taken.
Annex.
LONG-RANGE IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING SYSTEM
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
(PART II)
1.
The Technical documentation of the LRIT system is set out in two parts.
2.
Part I of the Technical documentation, issued under cover of MSC.1/Circ.1259 on
Interim revised technical specifications for the LRIT system, includes the:
.1 Regulation1
V/19-1;
_____________
1 Unless expressly provided
otherwise regulation means a regulation of the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
.2 Revised performance
standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and
tracking of ships2;
___________
2 As adopted by resolution
MSC.263(84).
.3 Technical specifications
for communications within the LRIT system3;
.4 Technical specifications
for the International LRIT Data Exchange3;
.5 Technical specifications
for the LRIT Data Distribution Plan3;
.6 Technical specifications
for the International LRIT Data Centre3,4;
____________
3 Refer to MSC.1/Circ.1259 on
Interim revised technical specifications for the LRIT system.
4 The related technical
specifications as set out in MSC.1/Circ.1259 are subject to review and updating
by the Maritime Safety Committee and the related work would only be undertaken
if an International LRIT Data Centre is to be established.
.7 XML schemas3;
and
.8 Criteria for the location
of the International LRIT Data Centre and the International LRIT Data Exchange.
3.
Part II of the Technical documentation is issued under this circular and
includes the:
.1 Protocols and
arrangements for the prototype, development, integration and modification
testing phases of the LRIT system;
.2 Procedures for the
notification, reporting and recording of temporary suspensions of operations or
reduction of the service provided; and
.3 Procedures for the
consideration of proposals for the amendment of technical specifications for
the LRIT system, the XML schemas and the test procedures and test cases,
which
are set out in annexes 1 to 3, respectively, of this circular.
4.
The Committee has also approved the following circulars which provide guidance
and recommendations on the implementation of the LRIT system which have been
issued separately:
.1 MSC.1/Circ.1298 on
Guidance on the implementation of the LRIT system;
.2 MSC.1/Circ.1299 on
Transitional arrangements and measures for accelerating the completion of the
establishment of the LRIT system;
.3 MSC.1/Circ.1296 on
Guidance on the survey and certification of compliance of ships with the
requirement to transmit LRIT information;
.4 MSC.1/Circ.1295 on
Guidance in relation to certain types of ships which are required to transmit
LRIT information, on exemptions and equivalents and certain operational
matters; and
.5 MSC.1/Circ.1297 on
Guidance to Search and Rescue services in relation to requesting and receiving
LRIT information.
Annex 1.
PROTOCOLS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROTOTYPE, DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION AND
MODIFICATION TESTING PHASES OF THE LRIT SYSTEM
(Version 2)
1.1 Scope, testing requirements and
limitations
1.1.1.1
The intent of this document is to provide protocols for the prototype,
developmental, integration, and modification testing phases of the Long-range
identification and tracking (LRIT) system.
1.1.1.2
This document describes the methodology for testing the LRIT system and its
components, namely the International LRIT Data Exchange (IDE), LRIT Data
Distribution Plan (DDP) server and the LRIT Data Centres (DCs), which is
defined as validation and verification of data communications and functionality
between various components of the LRIT system and the correct sending and
receiving of the LRIT messages.
1.1.2.1
The present protocols and arrangements have been designed to address the
requirements set out in:
.1 Regulation1
V/19-1;
____________
1 Unless expressly provided otherwise
Regulation means a regulation of the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
.2 Revised performance
standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and
tracking of ships2 (Performance standards);
_____________
2 As adopted by resolution
MSC.263(84).
.3 Technical specifications
for communications within the LRIT system3;
.4 Technical specifications
for the International LRIT Data Exchange3;
.5 Technical specifications
for the LRIT Data Distribution Plan3;
.6 Technical specifications
for the International LRIT Data Centre3,4; and
.7 XML schemas3.
______________
3 Refer to MSC.1/Circ.1259 on
Interim revised technical specifications for the LRIT system.
4 The related technical
specifications as set out in MSC.1/Circ.1259 are subject to review and updating
by the Maritime Safety Committee and the related work would only be undertaken
if an International LRIT Data Centre is to be established.
1.1.2.2
The appendices to this document set out the detailed individual tests which
should be carried out. Each such test identifies the relevant provisions of the
requirements identified in paragraph 1.1.2.1.
1.1.2.3
The detailed individual tests when conducted should conform to the processes
and procedures set out in this document and the appendices.
1.1.2.4
Once completed, the testing documentation should be submitted, for each testing
phase as described in the process and procedures section of this document.
1.1.3 Limitations of the testing process
1.1.3.1
The provisions of regulation V/19-1 and the Performance standards, as far as
all the components of the LRIT system are concerned, and the provisions of the
technical specifications for the LRIT system (refer to paragraphs 1.1.2.1.3 to
1.1.2.1.7 above) as far as the IDE, the International LRIT Data Centre, the DDP
and the DDP server are concerned, include a number of requirements which cannot
be verified through testing.
1.1.3.2
As the current arrangements envisaged by the Maritime Safety Committee
(Committee) in relation to the establishment of the LRIT system do not provide
for any form of physical inspections on location it is the responsibility of
those establishing DCs, the IDE, the DDP and the DDP server to verify and
document their compliance with the related requirements and to produce such
documentation when requested to do so by the Committee.
1.1.3.3
The tests envisaged in the present document assume that those establishing DCs,
the IDE, the DDP and the DDP server have completed the process of verifying and
documenting such compliance prior to entering the prototype, developmental,
integration or modification testing phase, as the case may be.
2.1.1.1
The testing protocols for the LRIT system are critical to ensure a successful
system and in order for it to become and remain operational.
2.1.1.2
The prototype phase establishes the prototype environment and the connection of
the LRIT system prototype components. After the prototype phase, a test
environment and the production environment would be established and open for
new DCs to begin testing, beginning with developmental testing within the
testing environment and graduating to integration testing in the production
environment. The modification testing phase, which also includes a testing
environment and the production environment, provides for testing of changes in
the LRIT system on or after 00:01 UTC on 31 December 2008 following the
adoption of amendments to the requirements referred to in paragraph 1.1.2.1,
other than amendments to those referred to in paragraphs 1.1.2.1.3 to 1.1.2.1.7
which may be found necessary during the initial setting up of the system.
2.1.1.3
During the initial setting up and testing of the LRIT system, which on the
basis of the available information is expected to continue after 31 December
2008, it may become necessary to conduct additional tests as a result of the
adoption of amendments to the technical specifications for the LRIT system
referred to in paragraphs 1.1.2.1.3 to 1.1.2.1.7. Such additional tests may
entail consequential amendments to the test procedures and test cases set out
in the appendices 2 to 4 of the annex or the adoption of additional test
procedures and test cases. The related additional tests will be determined at
the time of the adoption of the related amendments to the aforesaid technical
specifications, together with the technical and administrative requirements and
arrangements to be followed for conducting such tests, as well as the extent to
which components of the system which have already completed or are undertaking
testing should be retested.
2.1.2.1
There are four distinct testing phases as follows:
.1 Prototype testing phase
1 July 2008 to the date of completion of the testing of the prototype IDE, the
prototype DDP and DDP server and a satisfactory number of prototype DCs,
subject to the decisions of the Committee
This is the first step in
the establishment of the LRIT system and during this phase the prototype IDE,
the prototype DDP and DDP server and a number of prototype DCs would undergo
communications and functional tests with a view to verifying that they meet the
relevant requirements of regulation V/19-1, of the Performance standards and of
the technical specifications for the LRIT system.
In addition, the purpose of
this phase is to ascertain whether there is a need to amend in any way any of
the technical specifications for the LRIT system.
The DCs that satisfactorily
completed all communications and functional tests during the prototype testing
phase would form, together with the prototype IDE and the prototype DDP and DDP
server, the production environment and are not required to undergo or
satisfactorily complete any tests during either the developmental or the
integration testing phases. In addition, the aforesaid DCs would form the first
testing environment.
The results of the prototype
testing phase will be reported to and reviewed by the Committee, at its
eighty-fifth session. The end date of this phase will be prior to 31 December
2008 and will be determined by the aforesaid session of the Committee;
.2 Developmental testing
phase date of establishment of the testing environment5 to the
date to be decided by the Committee
_____________
5 Subject to the DCs
completing prototype testing and being available to assist the testing of DCs
which have not participated in the prototype testing phase.
The purpose of this phase is
to enable prototype DCs which have either not been able to satisfactorily
complete all communications and functional tests during the prototype testing
phase or other DCs that are ready for testing after the formation of the
prototype environment to become, through the integration testing phase, part of
the production environment during the initial setting up of the LRIT system. As
a result, with the exception of the prototype DCs that satisfactorily completed
all communications and functionality tests during the prototype testing phase,
all DCs should first participate in the developmental testing phase in order to
determine whether they should be accepted to participate in the integration
testing phase which would in turn determine whether they should be accepted to
become part of the production environment.
DCs which satisfactorily
complete all communications and functional tests during the developmental
testing phase may be required to participate in the testing environment to
enable the testing of other DCs during the developmental testing phase.
On the basis of the
available information the establishment of DCs during the initial setting up of
the LRIT system is expected to continue after 31 December 2008. As a result the
Committee, at its eighty-fifth session, will determine the date by which all
DCs to be established during the initial setting of the LRIT system should
satisfactorily complete all required tests and thus determine the end date of
the developmental testing phase;
.3 Integration testing phase
Date of completion of the prototype testing phase to the date to be decided
by the Committee
The purpose of this phase is
to enable DCs which have satisfactorily completed the developmental testing
phase to become part of the production environment during the initial setting
up of the LRIT system.
As a result, DCs that have
satisfactorily completed developmental testing should then participate in the
integration testing phase in order to determine whether they should be accepted
to become part of the production environment.
The DCs that participated in
the prototype testing and have satisfactorily completed all functional and
communications tests during the prototype testing phase would form the
production environment and are not required to participate in and
satisfactorily complete the integration testing phase.
DCs which satisfactorily
complete all communications and functional tests during the integration testing
phase may be required to participate in the testing environment to enable the
testing of other DCs during the developmental or integration testing phases.
On the basis of the
available information, the establishment of DCs during the initial setting up
of the LRIT system is expected to continue after 31 December 2008. As a result
the Committee, at its eighty-fifth session, will determine the date by which
all DCs to be established during the initial setting of the LRIT system should
satisfactorily complete all required tests and thus determine the end date of
the integration testing phase; and
.4 Modification testing
phase 31 December 2008 through life of system
The purpose of this phase is
to enable the testing of modifications to the production environment on or
after 31 December 2008 as a result of amendments to provisions of regulation
V/19-1, the Performance standards, or the technical specifications of the LRIT
system. The specific tests to be conducted in each case and which LRIT system
components should undergo such tests would be determined in line with the
requirements of the amendments to be adopted.
The modification testing
phase includes a testing environment and the production environment.
2.1.3 Environments used for testing
2.1.3.1
There are three types of environments used for testing as follows:
.1 Prototype environment
the prototype environment is the LRIT system used during the prototype phase.
This environment is established by the prototype IDE, the prototype DDP and DDP
server and a minimum of two prototype DCs;
.2 Testing environment the
testing environment is the LRIT system used during the developmental testing and
modification testing phases. This environment is established by the test IDE,
test DDP and DDP server and a minimum of two test DCs which has satisfactorily
completed all functional and communications tests during either the prototype
or developmental testing phases. A DC wishing to become part of the production
environment (other than a prototype DC which has satisfactorily completed all
communications and functional tests) should first complete developmental
testing within the testing environment; and
.3 Production environment
the production environment is the LRIT system used for operation of the LRIT
system, including during the modification testing phase. This environment is
initially established by the prototype IDE, prototype DDP and DDP server and
prototype DCs that have satisfactorily completed all communications and
functional tests. This environment is also the environment within which DCs
(other than the prototype ones referred to above) that have undergone and
satisfactorily completed the developmental testing phase, once accepted, would
undergo the integration testing phase and once accepted, conduct final LRIT
system operations.
2.1.3.2
The individual tests to be undertaken in each of the testing environments by
each of the components of the LRIT system are identified under the column
headed environment in the tests descriptions in the appendices to the annex.
2.1.4.1
There are two types of tests as follows:
.1 Communications test
this is a suite of tests (identified with the letter C under the column headed
test type in the tests descriptions in the appendices to the annex) that each
of the components under test should undergo and satisfactorily complete in
order to demonstrate that the component has correctly implemented the Technical
specifications for communications within the LRIT system and the various
related requirements of the Performance standards. Functionality of the various
components would not be tested during this type of test, only their compliance
with the aforesaid requirements would be tested; and
.2 Functional test this is
a suite of tests (identified with the letter F under the column headed test
type in the tests descriptions in the appendices to the annex) that each of the
components of the LRIT system under test should undergo and satisfactorily
complete in order to demonstrate that it meets the requirements of regulation
V/19-1 and performs the relevant functionality requirements of the Performance
standards, excluding those covered by communications tests, to the extent the
said requirements can be demonstrated through testing.
Notwithstanding the
aforesaid, the IDE and the DDP and DDP server during this test should, in
addition, also demonstrate that they perform all the functionality requirements
of the Technical specifications for the International LRIT Data Exchange and
Technical specifications for the LRIT Data Distribution Plan respectively, to
the extent the said requirements can be demonstrated through testing.
2.1.5 Tests and test certification
2.1.5.1
There are two groups of tests as follows:
.1 Pre-tests Tests
conducted by components of the LRIT system before entering into the prototype,
testing, or production