The U.S. Coast Guard announced that operation of the International Maritime Organization mandated Long Range Identification and Tracking System begins Dec. 31. The Coast Guard also begins operating the U.S. National Data Center on that date. The U.S. National Data Center, in Martinsburg, W.Va., will be responsible for the collection, dissemination and management of all LRIT data submitted by U.S.-flagged vessels subject to LRIT regulations. The U.S. National Data Center also will collect foreign-flagged vessel LRIT information from other data centers. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the Coast Guard will examine foreign and U.S. flagged vessels subject to LRIT regulations to determine the status of compliance.