Radio Holland signs contract with Pole Star for LRIT testing

Rotterdam, 15 October 2008

On 8 October the Radio Holland Group (Rotterdam) signed a contract with Pole Star (London). Through this contract Radio Holland Group is a worldwide distributor for Pole Star’s LRIT testing facilities. Pole Star is a major provider in LRIT services, being recognized in 39 flag states. The cooperation with the internationally operating Polestar is logical for Radio Holland, a global renowned organization in the maritime industry with 61 own offices along the world’s shipping routes. The first LRIT testing has been concluded successfully on 14 October by Radio Holland Netherlands BV.

Radio Holland can offer LRIT testing for all countries which appointed Pole Star as authorized testing ASP (as per 10/10/2008, 39 flag states). A web-based end-user interface is available via www.purplefinder.com to enable the ship owner to start the LRIT test at the suitable moment with respect to its vessel operational status.

LRIT regulations
Resulting from IMO regulations, SOLAS vessels must demonstrate LRIT compliance by the first radio survey after 31 December 2008. The evidence of compliance is the availability on board of an ‘LRIT Conformance Test Report’. LRIT testing concentrates on shipborne Inmarsat-C, Iridium, mini-C terminals and/or dedicated LRIT terminals Radio Holland expects that 2009 will be a busy year with LRIT Testing and LRIT compliance. After 2009 only new buildings, flag changes and equipment changes will result in (renewed) LRIT testing.

Managed Services Agreements
Radio Holland, a renowned distributor and service provider of navigation and communication electronics, is always fully informed about the SOLAS regulations. In line with this knowledge and its specific service competence, Radio Holland offers special Managed Services Agreements. This agreement de-risks the shipowner by keeping all equipment functional and operational at all times, in line with regulations. LRIT is also included in these regulations. RH’ Managed Services Agreements are available in three formats:

MSA – SBMC Shore Base Maintenance Coordination: 'Secured priority Services'
MSA – FM Full Maintenance: 'Outsourced Services'
MSA – PRM Performance Related Maintenance: 'Shared planning=Shared success'
On www.radiohollandgroup.com a special LRIT testing request form is available.

Company profiles

About Pole Star
Pole Star Space Applications Limited is a privately owned company which operates globally with headquarters in London. The company is the proprietary owner of Purplefinder (TM) technology which powers Pole Star's systems and products. Pole Star has developed a range of tracking, security and asset management systems, all powered by Purplefinder, for marine, aeronautical and land applications. The marine product range includes tracking and security solutions for the commercial marine sector, maritime administrations and the leisure marine sector. Marshall Islands flagged vessels M/T PORT LOUIS, M/T ALTIUS and M/V PORT MELBOURNE are the first vessels in the world to be officially issued Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) Conformance Test Report Certification following the successful shipborne equipment conformance testing of the vessels’ Inmarsat C equipment, supported by Pole Star Space Applications Limited (Pole Star). Pole Start has been at the forefront of the development of LRIT from the start.

About Radio Holland Group
Radio Holland Group is a specialized company in the supply, installation, integration and service of maritime electronics and is also known as satellite airtime provider. The company employs more than 900 people worldwide in more than 60 own branches, strategically located along all major shipping routes. Radio Holland is part of Imtech N.V., one of the world's largest service providers in the field of electrical engineering, ICT and mechanical engineering.

The Radio Holland Group represents a wide range of internationally renowned manufacturers and continuously focuses on electronic & functional innovations in Communication, Navigation and Automation equipment. Radio Holland is known for its 24-hour service on the spot. Many ship owners around the world use the services of Radio Holland to maintain and repair the equipment on board. Radio Holland has many customers in the international shipping market: deep sea ship owners, coastal & inland shipping, dredging, government & navy, mega yacht shipyards, fishery, etc. Radio Holland enjoys a high reputation worldwide as an all round maritime electronics specialist. Unique is its worldwide ISO: 9001 certification, granted by Lloyds, emphasizing RH’s focus on delivering quality at all times.

Radio Holland Group, press release