ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Long-range identification and tracking (ships)

Long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) is a way that grown-ups keep an eye on big boats that are out in the middle of the ocean.

Imagine a big, shiny boat that is so big it can carry lots of cars and trucks on board. This boat is really far away in the ocean, and it might be hard for people to figure out where it is and what it's doing.

So, grown-ups came up with a plan to use special computer and satellite technology to track the boat. They call it LRIT.

Every big boat has something called an identification number. It's like a special name that only that boat has. Using satellites, grown-ups can send signals to the boat that ask it to share its identification number. Once they know the boat's number, they can start keeping an eye on it.

The satellite also sends information back to a special computer that stores information about the boat. That way, if the boat does something strange or goes somewhere it shouldn't, the grown-ups can look back at the computer and see what happened.

It's important for grown-ups to use LRIT to track big boats because it helps them keep the ocean safe for other boats and sea creatures. Plus, it helps them make sure that the boats are following all the rules and not doing anything bad. That way, everyone can have fun on their boats and in the ocean!