1. VOYAGE DATA RECORDER

2. CONTENTS What’s VDR ? Why Do We Need VDR ? Properties of VDR
System Diagram
VDR Main Units
VDR Requirements
Simplified VDRs

3. CONTENTS Differences between VDR & S-VDR VDR Data VDR Benefits
VDR and S-VDR Annual Survey
Incidents Involving Vessels
Fitted with VDR

4. WHAT IS VDR?
VDR (Voyage Data Recorder) is a device to keep the records of various voyage data generated from shipping service in real time, and maintain and manage the data. VDR records the voyage data automatically not by handwriting on log books, so efficient shipping service management can be achieved

5. WHAT IS VDR(CONTINUE)
When a sea accident happens, like a Black Box of an aircraft, analyzing data such as the position of the ship before and after the accident, movement of the ship, physical state, orders, and control can be made so as to explain the reason and situation of the accident.

7. WHY DO WE NEED a VDR? WHY??? IN 1980 DERBYSHIRE VANISHED
IN 1987 HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE CAPSIZED
IN 1994 THE ESTONIA SANK

8. WHY DO WE NEED A VDR ?
IMO made decisions to mandate VDR initially because :
– Numbers of vessels lost without explanation
– Numbers of lives lost
– Public Pressure

9. PROPERTIES - Records navigation, rudder, engine and alarm data
- Records Bridge conversation, VHF radio communication
- Records radar video images

10. PROPERTIES(CONT.)
- Retains minimum of 12 hours of recording in a Protected Data Capsule (PDC)
- Protected Data Capsule is fixed on the ship and will survive 6 k.meters deep sea immersion and deg C high temperature fire for one hour
- Same criteria applies for float-free version

11. PROPERTIES (CONT.)
-Provide information which allows for the in-depth analysis of all incidents, large or small.
- Produce hard information, thereby reducing the reliance on eye-witness statements.

12. PROPERTIES (CONT.) -Show a constant record of time and position.
Present information in a user-friendly manner.
- Are easily adapted to suit any type of vessel.

15. PROPERTIES (CONT.)
The main purpose of VDR is to comply with IMO safety requirements by recording and storing data that can be used to investigate maritime incidents.

16. PROPERTIES (CONT.)
VDR is also a Complete Data Control System which enables it to also collect data points useful for ship security, ship maintenance, and fleet management.

17. PROPERTIES (CONT.)
The IMO requires the storage of specific voyage data for the last 12 hours on a survivable medium. The Voyage Data Recorder expands on the required capabilities, recording a customizable array of sensor data for periods up to the entire voyage.

18. PROPERTIES (CONT.)
As a result it can also be configured as an Engine Data Recorder and as a complete Ship Data Manager.

19. THREE MAIN UNITS Protected storage unit
This rugged protected storage unit exceeds the voyage data recorder requirements as described. It uses proven aircraft technology, storing all data in flash memory. The recordings are stored in a protected capsule within the protected storage unit.

20. Data collection unit
The data collection unit interfaces, records and processes data from all relevant ship’s equipment and sends the recorded data to the voyage data recorder protected storage unit for storage.

21. The data collection unit consists of :
Main controlling unit for recording, processing and storing of data in the protected storage unit
Audio recording interface for 8 microphones and 2 VHF units

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Frame grabber card for frame grabbing of radar signals
Microphone unit for recording of bridge audio
Multi serial interface for 12 serial lines

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Distributed process unit for 16 analogue or digital signals
Local operator station for monitoring and operation
Uninterruptible Power Supply, 2 hours battery capacity for audio recording

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Cabinet, H1200xD600xW600 mm
The cabinet is prepared for installation of Seatex AIS and ECDIS
Parallel data storage to an other medium than the protected storage unit (optional)

25. Replay and evaluation unit
The replay and evaluation unit is used for training and evaluation purposes. It enables replay of recorded data, either retrieved from the protected storage unit, or data recorded in parallel from the data collection unit.

26. A training tool
Data stored in the replay and evaluation unit can be used for training and evaluation purposes and provide an efficient tool for evaluation of ship operations. Ships personnel can learn both own experience and that of others

27. Other applications
The replay and evaluation unit can also be used to provide online data to other systems such as electronic logbooks, fleet data manager or be transmittet via satellite to the owners office.
Electronic Log books
Fleet Data Manager

28. Other benefits
Recorded VDR data is primarily intended for incident analysis. However, this can also be made available for:

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• Reporting and trending
• Vessel routing
• Weather and hydrographic data collection

30. • Electronic logbooks • Vessel maintenance • On board training
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• Electronic logbooks
• Vessel maintenance
• On board training

31. VDR REQUIREMENTS
Under regulation 20 of SOLAS chapter V on Voyage data recorders (VDR), the following ships are required to carry VDRs:

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passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002;
ro-ro passenger ships constructed
before 1 July 2002 not later than the
first survey on or after 1 July 2002;

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passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1July 2002 not later than 1 January 2004;
ships, other than passenger ships, of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002.

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VDRs are required to meet performance standards "not inferior to those adopted by the Organization".

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Performance standards for VDRs were adopted in 1997 and give details on data to be recorded and VDR specifications. They state that the VDR should continuously maintain sequential records of preselected data items relating to status and output of the ship's equipment and command and control of the ship

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The VDR should be installed in a protective capsule that is brightly coloured and fitted with an appropriate device to aid location. It should be entirely automatic in normal operation.

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Administrations may exempt ships, other than ro-ro passenger ships, constructed before 1 July 2002, from being fitted with a VDR where it can be demonstrated that interfacing a VDR with the existing equipment on the ship is unreasonable and impracticable.

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Regulation18 of SOLAS chapter V on Approval, surveys and performance standards of navigational systems and equipment and voyage data recorder states that:

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’’The voyage data recorder (VDR) system, including all sensors, shall be subjected to an annual performance test. The test shall be conducted by an approved testing or servicing facility to verify the accuracy, duration and recoverability of the recorded data.’’

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In addition, tests and inspections shall be conducted to determine the service ability of all protective enclosures and devices fitted to aid location.

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A copy of a the certificate of compliance issued by the testing facility, stating the date of compliance and the applicable performance standards, shall be retained on board the ship.

42. Simplified VDRs
The MSC at its 79th session in December 2004 adopted amendments to regulation of SOLAS chapter V (Safety of Navigation) on a phased-in carriage requirement for a shipborne simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR). The amendment enters into force on 1 July 2006.

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The regulation requires a VDR, which may be an S-VDR, to be fitted on existing cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards, phasing in the requirement for cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards first, to be followed by cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards.

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The S-VDR is not required to store the same level of detailed data as a standard VDR, but nonetheless should maintain a store, in a secure and retrievable form, of information concerning the position, movement, physical status, command and control of a vessel over the period leading up to and following an incident.

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The phase-in is as follows: To assist in casualty investigations, cargo ships, when engaged on international voyages, shall be fitted with a VDR which may be a simplified voyage data recorder (S VDR) as follows:

47. WHY DO WE NEED S-VDR?
• Complaint that VDR was too expensive
• Study to reduce cost
• Outcome was S-VDR:
– Simplified Interfacing Requirements
– Reduced requirements for the Crash
Survivable Module

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In the case of cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2002, at the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2006 but not later than 1 July 2009;

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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 dry-docking after 1 July 2007 but not later than 1 July 2010;

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Administrations may exempt cargo ships from the application of the requirements when such ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation date specified above.

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There is no principle difference between a voyage data recorder (VDR) and a simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR). The difference is the amount of information required to be recorded. The VDR requires more data to be recorded than the S-VDR.

60. VDR DATA

61. VDR DATA AUTHORITIES FLEET EVENT or PROCESS VDR DATA SIMULATION
BEST PRACTICES
AUTHORITIES
FLEET
EXPERIENCE
TRANSFER
EVENT
or PROCESS
VDR DATA
ANALYSIS/
DECISION

62. BENEFITS
Graphic & accurate representation of the event.
Monitoring compliance with International and National rules and regulations.
Monitoring compliance with the Company’s SEMS system, specifically the Navigation Standards Manual.

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Improvement of docking or undocking operations
Increase Safety
Efficiency of operations
Procedure Verification
Incident accident investigation

64. While it is generally assumed that most accidents are likely not to result in the sinking of the vessel immediately, it is the fixed capsule that offers the higher chance of final recovery of the data.
It is also probably true that if the ship sinks the data will be more valuable, both to determine the causes of the accident and to apportion blame in cases of litigation.

65. Both types of fixed recording medium can easily be removed from the vessel in the event it does not sink quickly, and although the fixed type is rather heavier, it is still easily carried by one person.
It is also the fixed capsule that is more likely to survive any adverse conditions onboard, such as fire or explosion, while the float free may more easily be destroyed.

66. The float free option meanwhile is much easier and cheaper to recover if the ship does sink, and it may in the future be possible to combine it with the EPIRB, since the specifications are very similar, with potential cost savings.
However, there is the chance that the data may ultimately be lost, since the priority in any accident will be to save lives, and the positioning beacon need only last for 48 hours, which may be not long enough to find it.

67. In all cases, the fixed option offers a higher safety margin, and since the only purpose of a VDR is the recovery of the data in disastrous circumstances, it is surprising that the float free version survives at all.
With the initial cost difference now not a large consideration, it is only the recoverability cost that need be considered. Compared to the potential cost of litigation, this may also be seen as negligible.

69. Data Items That Must be Recorded by theVDR. (IMO Resolution A

71. Date and time: Referenced to UTC with an indication of the source.
Ship’s position: In latitude and longitude with the datum used. The source could be the GPS

72. Speed: Through water or speed over ground with indication of which it is. The source could be the speed log
Heading: As indicated by the ship’s compass. The source could be the gyro compass

73. Bridge audio: As picked up by one or more microphones positioned on the bridge so that conversation at or near the conning stations, radar displays, chart tables, etc., is adequately recorded. As far as practicable, the positioning of microphones should also capture intercom, public address systems and audible alarms on the bridge

74. AIS data: If it is impossible to obtain radar data by using a commercially available interface then AIS target data should be recorded as a source of information regarding other ships.

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If radar data is recorded, AIS information may be recorded additionally as a beneficial secondary source of information on both other and own ship. AIS data is not mandatory, but an option when it is impossible to obtain radar data by means of a commercially available interface

76. Additional data:
Items listed by IMO with the requirements set out in resolution A.861(20) should be recorded when the data is available in accordance with the international digital interface standard NMEA0183 using approved sentence formatters.

77. The additional data listed by IMO with the requirements in Resolution A.861(20) are:

78. – Rudder order and response – Engine order and response
– Echo sounder
– Main alarm
– Rudder order and response
– Engine order and response

79.    – Hull openings status
– Watertight and fire door status
– Accelerations and hull stresses
– Wind speed and direction

80. The additional data (any or all) shall only have to be recorded if the data are available on the bridge and the data signals are available in NMEA0183 format.

81. Hence, the principle difference between VDR and S-VDR lays in the requirements for recording of additional data

82. VHF communications: Relating to ship operations should be recorded
Radar data: Electronic signal information from within one of the ship’s radar installations with recording of all the information which was actually being presented on the master display of that radar at the time of recording

83. VDR and S-VDR Annual Survey
Keep annual survey cost to a minimum The IMO requires that all voyage data recorder (VDR) and simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) systems undergo annual certification. We offer two ways to keep your annual survey and life-cycle cost to a minimum

85. CONTINUE… Remote annual survey
Annual survey done by local authorized distributors

86. Remote annual survey
This system eliminates the need for onboard inspection and performance testing by authorized surveyor.

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Using standard functions in the Electronic Deck Logbook system, the status of the VDR is recorded at regular intervals and sent through . The status is examined and stored in the VDR database.

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Once a year ship’s personnel will complete and sign the Annual inspection and test procedure - annual survey report, and extract recorded data from the protected storage unit (PSU).

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The extracted data is copied to a DVD using the onboard Marine IT Info-station, and the report and the DVD are sent by mail or courier service. Both the report and the extracted data are examined and the VDR Certificate of Compliance is renewed.

90. Annual survey done by local authorized distributors
Local authorized distributors keep track of your renewal date, and 2 – 3 months prior to this date they will notify and help to find the best location for the annual survey. The distributor will send an authorized person onboard to do the survey. Upon completion he will report to them and they will renew and forward a certificate.

93. Incidents Involving Vessels Fitted with VDR
VDR Data assists in identifying the causes of incidents at sea…

94. RO-RO ferry in collision with fishing vessel
Radar information gained from the ferry’s VDR proved incontrovertibly that the fishing vessel had made a large alteration of course across the ferry’s bow moments before the collision, contrary to the Collision Regulations.
ccntrovertibly=tartışmaya yol açabilen

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Unfortunately bridge audio data which might have given insight to the human factors that lay behind the accident was lost to the investigators due to background noise from a radio which had been playing in the wheelhouse for entertainment.

96. Near collision between passenger ferry and general cargo
VDR information enabled the investigators to establish the true course of events which was contrary to both the masters’ accounts. Shortfalls in bridge team management were uncovered to the benefit of the individuals involved, the owners and training establishments.  

97. Passenger vessel lost power on a lee shore in gale force winds
VDR information enabled a detailed analysis of the bridge team’s actions in an emergency situation to be carried out. Many shortfalls in performance were uncovered to the benefit of the bridge team, the owners and training establishments.  

98. Vessel berthing at builder's yard for guarantee dry docking hit jetty whilst under pilotage sustaining $150,000 steel damage:   
When the yard was made aware that Pilot’s actions had been recorded, they paid for repairs without question  

99. Vessel leaving NW European port hit coaster glancing blow sustaining minimal damage:  
When bridge team’s actions were reviewed, procedures were found to require modification