218/29, 249 AM Vessel Daia Recorder | Marine Teacher e ‘ontact Us Marine Teacher Sharing Knowledge © Login| sient HOME | BridgeEauipment | ShioHanating | CargoWork | Stabilty Calculations | OratNotes ownioas | MA POL VOYAGE DATA RECORDER WHAT IS AVDR? ‘AVDR or voyage data recorder s an instrument installed on a ship to continuously record critical Information related to the operation of a vessel. It consists of a recording system for a period of at least last 48 haurs which is continuously overwritten by the latest data, This recording is recovered and made use of for various purposes, especially for investigation in the events of accidents Purpose/benefits of VR VOR data can be used for : 1. Accident investigations 2. Response Assessment 3. Training support 4, Promotion of best practices 5, Reduction of insurance cost HOW DOES A VDR WORK? ‘There are various sensors placed on bridge of the ship and on prominent location from which the required data is continuously collected, The VDR has to be very flexible in order to be interfaced with the existing equipment and sensors for recording of relevant data, ‘The unit should be entirely automatic in normal operation. Means are provided whereby recorded data may be saved by an appropriate method following an incident, \with minimal interruption to the recording process ‘The data collected by VDR is digitalized, compressed, and is stored in a protective storage unit which is ‘mounted in a safe place. This tamper-proof storage unit can be a retrievable fixed or floating unit connected with EPIRB for early location in the event of an accident. MAIN.COMPONENTS. OF VDR: 1, DATA MANAGEMENT UNIT (OR DATA COLLECTION UNIT) 2, AUDIO MODULE 3. FINAL RECORDING MODULE 4, REMOTE ALARM MODULE 5. REPLAY STATION 6, RESERVE SOURCE OF POWER Data Management Unit: This dota comprises of voices, various navigational parameters, ship lacation, ‘etc, are fed to a unit called Data management unit. The data collected by the Data Management Unit is. digitized, compressed, and is stored in a specified format in two protective storage units (called "Final cording Medium’) which are mounted ina safe placa. A copy ofthe data is alo recorded in a hard drive et consists ofan audio mixer for recording auclio from microphones placed inthe eelhouse, bridge wings, ECR and various other locations VHF audio signals are also interfaced with t . gl: ridge Audio should be recorded through the use of at least two channels of audio recording, positioned outside on bridge wings, should be recorded cn at least one additional separate ch hitps:www.marineteacher comvde wr218/29, 249,AM Vessel Daia Recorder | Marine Teacher VHF Communications audio VHF communications relating to ship operations should be recorded on an additional separate channel to those referred to in point above, Final Recarding Medium: the final recording mediums, also sometimes called VDR CAPSULES, comprises of two independent recording units (fixed and floa-ree) and an long term medium. 1) Fixed recording medium Should record data for atleast 48 Hrs which is continuously overwritten with new data. should maintain the recorded data for a period of at least two years following termination of recording. data should be electronically tamper-proof ‘This fixed tamper-proof electranic storage medium is encased in a protecting casing. A fixed VOR Capsule is capable of withstanding heavy weather, collisions, fires and pressure conditions even when a ship is ata depth of several meters in water. This unit is fixed with an underwater locator which can be used to retrieved in case of sinking of the ship Properties of Final Recording Unit: Highly visible color Can withstand temp. up to 1100°C Can sustain deep sea pressure of 6000 m_ Electronically tamper-proof data Easily accessible / Float-lree 9) Floattree recording medium data recorded for atleast 48 Hrs andl continuously veraitin with new data should maintain the recorded! data for a period of at least six months following termination of recording: data should be electronically tamper-proot cor floating unt with an in-built EPIRB for early location inthe event of accident. ©) Long-term recording medium. Data recorded for 30 days / 720 Hrs and continuously overwritten with new data be capable of being accessed from an internal, easily accessible area ofthe ship; Remote Alarm Module: This i a small panel connected to the Data Management Unit that wil sound an audio-visual alarm should any eroror fault develop in the equipment orf the sensor inputs are ising Replay Station: The VDR should provide an interface for downloading the stored data and playback the information to an extemal computer. The interface should be compatible with an internationally recognized format, such as Ethernet, USB, FireWire, or equivalent A playoack software should be provided with VR with the capability toto download the stored data and play back the information. The software should be compatible with an operating system available with commercial off-the-shelf laptop computers and where non-standard or proprietary formats are used for storing the data in the VDR, the software should convert the stored data into open industry standard formats hitps:iwww.marineteacher comvde aT218/29, 249,AM Vessel Daia Recorder | Marine Teacher Bae t wre mey Pretonty oan te ea EE] [spon [SecsoncPoctonng spon The ence Tae lees on pyc. lbeedGeosph wae crow pard) [she's SOME Recsedeey TSO eaokon sane lbp corpse Read tore feta fescue cf og pe lento rear cena (coos Theme fos eps eer 2 at eres [sited ae Ancor (ase TARPA ats postaay [ster acd, nausea rope oon EOL econ sey 1 [ves sormare panes Somurenera [reusion nen (eae [sks Sosnaee Reseed a ean TOT Foecereer trea [Seer oar aunt irons re tress feegaote onrce ed [Bileorengs [et rensiry st sforton Spt Oe [Wasted he coorsons [Aros stan lori spider (nag sue vey te ana ved ame lsaros ener Ra fet em sence rea ome fwesteeedaecin ‘amon wer tas Sd navy | [fas tse [acer t ped ie ar ae awa [Snes aocreg/ahea wepowe ge = ead [eTresacen aay aoe Pevante tied mom aren ‘VDR installed after 1st July, 2014 must record, in accition to, or altemately, following data: (DaareN_——=*B ue ‘Brags Auto Ihould te rcerced rough the use cht iest to lenanels of aus recarsing Mirephones pester] louise on tage wags, should be ecard on st [ast one odaonal saparate channel. {VHF Communications audio |/HF communcatons relating to ship operons [should te recrded on an adaitonal seprate lena! othove refered ton pot above. "RADAR Recocing of he main dpays of bon shps rade requredy SOLAS regulon [ECOIS________tsnay in use atthe timo as he pinay wears oling Woton [20R shold bo comocodto an coca |rcinomoter finales ‘Configuration data: nono he data tema date book ang [te contausion of tho VOR an the sensors to Jen ti connactad sno ha writen inthe al oring medium during conmissonrg othe VOR. ‘lecrori logbook Jor ash sted wih an Secon agtook mn lacorsence nn ie stands ofthe Organon [mension tom ts sous be recorded Additionally, the following requirements shal be fulfilled by the VDRs installed after 01st July 2014 RADAR -Recording of the main displays of hoth ship's radar installations as required by SOLAS regulations AS- All AIS data should be recorded ECDIS display in use atthe time as the primary means of navigation. Rolling Motion - VOR should be connected to an electronic inclinometer if installed Cenfiguration data: In addition to the data items, a data block defining the configuration of the VDR and the sensors to which itis connected should be written into the final recording mecium duting the RET erg otine vor lectronic logbook: Where a ship is fitted with an electronic logbook in accordance with the standards of the ganization the information from this should be recorded, OR 7 S-VDR (Simplified VOR) is the same as a VDR. There is no principle difference between a VDR and an SV ° xcept the amount af information required lo be recorded by S-VOR is less DATA RECORDED BY S-VDR: hitps:iwww.marineteacher comvde a7218/29, 249,AM Vessel Daia Recorder | Marine Teacher fpatarem——S~soee SSCS [Date andtima —________Preferaniy aarnalto ship (ea. GNSS) [Shin's postion [etecrone postion systern [Speed (Through the water or over the [Ship's SOME our [Heading [Ship's compass: [pndge niet ermove ondgemieroones =| [Communicatons eudio VHF communicebons = [Recor ote post-ospiy S8ecion Maser reer aspey [as Osta [ASW be recorded ts impossibetorecord Frodar data, trader corded A'S may be rocodad as an adonal sow of tert. [otbertems [Adional tems requred for VOR when jnterecina avaibie- CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS: ‘The following vessels are required to carry a VOR + All Passenger ships and Ro-Ro passenger ships + Ships of 3,000 GT and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002. ‘The following vessels are required to carry an S-VDR: + Shias over 3,000 GT constructes before 1 July 2002 /OR ~ FAQs (Additional Mater General Sheuld a “fixed” or “float-free" data storage capsule be used? There is no Type Approved float-free solution curently avaiable and there are varying views on which solution would be most easily retrieved. Indications are that bath options are similarly priced ‘To what degree does the choice cf S-VDR depenc on the make of the existing bridge equioment? ‘The technical specification of the S-VDR has been determined with the express aim of maximising the connectivity with ather equipment. The choice of S-VDR can therefore bebased with emphasis on the functionality of the particular S-VOR and the worldwide service suppor: availabe. What benefits can be expectec fram fitting S-VOR? ‘The operational experience gained from ships equipped with VDR has been well recorded over many years and in summary confirm the positive benefits particularly relating to accident investigation, training and monitoring assessment of response to safety and environment emergencies, promating best practice and accigent prevention and reduction in insurance losses. VDRs have also proved invaluable to ship owners as @ management tool in analysing hazardous incidents and bridge team procedures. Additionally VOR recordings have pravided irrefutable avidence in pollution incidents as well as providing an indisputable record of a Master's action. There have also been 2 number of instances where disclosure of VOR recordings precluded court actions with the subsequent significant savings in costs, Can the recorded data ke accessed remotely? Remote access to data is not a requirement of the IMO but a limited number of manufacturers do offer this, facility as an option. Kelvin Hughes “MantaDigital™ S-VDR" has the capability of being interrogating through GSM or satelite communications from the shore. This optional feature also allows entoard technical problems to be diagnosed remotely, enabling spares or other support to be arranged in advance af the ship's arrival in port. What time period can be recordec? ‘The IMO requires a minimum of 12 hours recording but most manufacturers provide larger storage options often with removable media, which may be used as a management and training tool. Ths latter option sometimes, referred to as a “white-box’, has found favor in the past where ships’ staff are able to retain a record of an event without disturbing the main (mandatory) data contained within the S-VDR, low is the perfeamarce ct he equrrent nites? ne MO Pertarmane stanrd ar SMDR eqiesoultn the test ality t be provided to allow fo WlPevinccs orton et the perormance tne pment Anau and visual alors stomatly gered inte ovet fo manson! he SHOR {ow and where can the datz be replayed? Playback facilities are offered by all manufacturers, usually free of charge, as part of the S-VOR package. This, hitps:iwww.marineteacher comvde an218/29, 249,AM Vessel Daia Recorder | Marine Teacher enables incident analysis to be undertaken onboard, ashore, and in a Court of Law. Installation Who can carry cut annual performance checks? All maintenance, service, and commissioning of S-VDR equipment must be carried out by engineers approved by the manufacturer concerned. This may be delegated to a nominated service agent although some ‘manufacturers, such as Kelvin Hughes, have the added advantage of a well-established and proven worldwide support network with factory-trained engineers located in key ports. Can an $-VDR be installed whilst the vessel isin service? In the majority of cases, the instalation of an S-VDR can be carried out whilst the vessel is in service. The ‘majority of the work centers around the running of cables for microphones on the bridge and the collection of data from a number of sources. The only restriction on installing during service is when it may become necessary to weld fixings ar cut cable penetrations (hot-work) an vessels carrying hazardous cargo eg, Tankers and gas carriers, How long dees installation & commissicning take? Atypical installation, which would include cable running, mounting of units, termination of cables, and commissioning is estimated to take 5/7 days with two engineers. If preparatory work is completed in advance with the running of cables and provision of foundations for unvts then termination and commissioning are estimated to take 3 days Legislation How will compliance ke erfercec and monitored? Compliance with Carriage Requirements for S-VDR will be enforced by the appropriate Flag State and Port Contro authorities may also prevent vessels from operating who do not have a suitably working S-VOR, What Type of Approval or Classification Certification is necessary? ALS-VDR equipments fitted to satisfy IMO requirements must be Type Aporoved Kelvin Hughes i the first to receive Type Approval for its MantaDigital™ S-VOR through Gineti, the UK government nominated testing organisation, Other manutacturers are following and submitting equipment for test to Gineti@ and other test organisations, including the German testing house, BSH. Individual Classification Societies can endorse Type Approved equipment by reference to the results obtained by the test organisation. What are the requirements? IMO through MSC at its 79th session in December 2004 agreed the following amendment to SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 20 ‘To assist in casualty investigations, cargo ships, when engaged on international voyages, shall be fitted with # VDR, which may be a simplied vayage data recorcer (S-VDR) as follows: + Inthe case of carga ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2002, atthe first scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2006 but not later than 1 July 2009; + In the case of cargo ships of 3.000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 20,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2002, at the first scheduled éry-docking after 1 July 2007 but not ater than 1 July 2010: ang + Administrations may exempt cargo ships from the application ofthe requirements of sub-paragraphs 1 and 2 when such ships will be taken permanently out of servicewithin two years alter the implementation date specified in sub-paragraphs 1 and 2 above. ‘To what tyes cf vessels does the Carriage Requirement acaly? All vassels involved in international trade aver 3,000 tons gross tonnage will be affected by the requirement (except where an exemption is granted by the flag state) gal il fitrg S-VR imcact on insurance preriums? Marine Underwriters Perspective ere is no doubt. thatthe shipping industry can earn aot from the world of Avation and this is certainly @ int of view held by eminent personages such as Lord Carver and Lora Danaidson, The lessons learned Fre lack-a0x informatia following air erashes has abviously done alt to improve the safely inthis industry. hitps:iwww.marineteacher comvde218/29, 249,AM Vessel Data Recorder | Marine Teacher ‘The lessons learnec nave also given the cperators deta to enble them to reduce the human element proportion of air disasters, So haw can aryane arque against 2 similar initiative in the Narine wortc? As underwriters, we can see the potential advantages that VDRs will bring in reducing the insurance risks. ‘There is always room for improvement, and, as lessons are learned from VOR playbacks ship operators will be able to respond with meaningful loss prevention actions, which will have a beneficial effect on their insurance results, VDRs will also provide @ reliable and unbiased witness al times of accidents involving other parties. Here again, \VDR evidence will do a lot to reduce legal costs and the sterile wrangles about who is to blame, Is the recerded dts recognized as legal evidence? Yes - extensively, there have been a number of instances already experienced where the disclosure of the existence of VOR recorded data has precludes court action, Clearly, there is an advantage in the situations where systems are installed with the additional removable memory, sometimes referred to as the ‘white-box Inthe event of an incicent - whe ewns the recerding? “Ownership and recovery’ (Abstracts of IMO FSI Sub - Committee 9) Recovery of VOR In the case of a non-catastrophic accident, recovery of the memory shauld be straightforward. This action will have to be Laken soon afler the accident to best preserve the relevant evidence for use by bath the investigator and the shipowner. As the investigator is very unlikely to be in a position to instigate this action soon enough after the accident, the owner must be responsible, through its onboard standing orders, for ensuring the timely preservation of this evidence in this circumstance In the case of abandonment of a vessel during an emergency. masters should be instructed, where time and ther responsibilities permit, to recover the memory and remove it to a place of safety and to preserve it untiit can be passed to the investigator. In the case of a catastrophic accident, where a vessel has sunk and the data has not been retrieved prior 10 abandonment, @ decision will need to be taken by the Flag Stale in consultation with any other substantially interested states on the viability of recovering the protective capsule against the potential use of the information, If itis decided to recover the capsule, the investigator should be responsible for its recovery. The possibility of the capsule having sustained damage must be considered and specialist expertise will be required to ensure the best chance of recovering and preserving the evidence. In addition, the assistance and co-operation of the ‘owners, insurers and the manufacturers af the VDR and those of the protective capsule may be required. Custody of VORIdata In all circumstances, during the course of an investigation, the investigator should have custody of the original DR data, perhaps in the form of the whole or part(s) of the VOR itselt in the same way as he has custody of ther records ar evidence under the Code fr the Investigation of Marine Casualties and incidents Ownership of VORIdata The shipowner wil in all circumstances and at all times, own the VOR and its data Read-out of VOR/data In all circumstances the responsibilty to arrange downloading and read-out of the data from the recovered memory in whatever form shoula, in the first instance, be undertaken by the investigater wha should keep the shipowner fully informed. Additionally, especialy in the case of 2 catastrophic accident where the memory may have sustained damage, the assistance of specialist expertise may be required to ensure the best chance of Access to the dala ©2020 by Marna teseor Marine Casualties and Incidents, Products ‘What are the key factors to be consicered wren selecting an S-VOR? Is the equipment type- approves? Does tne supalier have 3 proven track recore? Does the supaier oer worldwide support? can tne supsier uarante tit in time to meet agreed deadlines? Wil the fiting delay the vessel's operation? What does the price include? Is there afned price package? Does the supalier understand intertacing with marine bridge equipment? . [G) wnat accitiona options are avatable/provides? Does the supolir have an estab shed customer base? hitps:iwww.marineteacher comvde or218/29, 249,AM Vessel Daia Recorder | Marine Teacher Does the supplier have a reference list? ‘Will tre supplier be here in the future to support the system? Does the equioment offer all the facilities that may be required? What is the typical price for an S-VDR system? ‘These vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and are also dependent upon the degree of sophistication demanded. It's suggested that a budget of up to US$50k be allocated for 3 complete iit hitps:iwww.marineteacher comvde a