CLS installed its Iridium-based Thorium™ LRIT tracking devices on each of the 30 participating sailboats, permitting the race organizers to track and monitor the boats throughout the grueling 28,000-mile race. Using the CLS devices, the boats reported their position every 30 minutes through the Iridium satellite network as they passed from ocean to ocean. The new LRIT regulation, which came into force January 1, 2009, requires all passenger and cargo ships above 300 gross tons to be fitted with an approved LRIT transponder to transmit its position coordinates and identification to shoreside authorities on international ocean voyages. Iridium is the only approved satellite solution for LRIT in Sea Area A4, regions above and below 70 degrees north and south latitude. This means any ships sailing in these areas must be equipped with an Iridium-based LRIT system to be in compliance with the regulation. In early January, CLS installed the first Iridium-based compliant LRIT terminals and delivered the corresponding LRIT conformance test reports on behalf of the flag administration. The famous Vendée Globe is one of the most demanding sailboat races in the world, requiring the skippers to sail solo around the world with no stopovers and without assistance. The race started November 9, 2008. Michael Desjoyeaux was the first to cross the finish line after 84 days at sea.
Satnews Daily
April 19th, 2009
Racing Around The Global Oceans With LRIT + CLS
CLS installed its Iridium-based Thorium™ LRIT tracking devices on each of the 30 participating sailboats, permitting the race organizers to track and monitor the boats throughout the grueling 28,000-mile race. Using the CLS devices, the boats reported their position every 30 minutes through the Iridium satellite network as they passed from ocean to ocean. The new LRIT regulation, which came into force January 1, 2009, requires all passenger and cargo ships above 300 gross tons to be fitted with an approved LRIT transponder to transmit its position coordinates and identification to shoreside authorities on international ocean voyages. Iridium is the only approved satellite solution for LRIT in Sea Area A4, regions above and below 70 degrees north and south latitude. This means any ships sailing in these areas must be equipped with an Iridium-based LRIT system to be in compliance with the regulation. In early January, CLS installed the first Iridium-based compliant LRIT terminals and delivered the corresponding LRIT conformance test reports on behalf of the flag administration. The famous Vendée Globe is one of the most demanding sailboat races in the world, requiring the skippers to sail solo around the world with no stopovers and without assistance. The race started November 9, 2008. Michael Desjoyeaux was the first to cross the finish line after 84 days at sea.