To: S-VDR System provider (or whom it may concern)

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions about Tron S-VDR CAPSULE

What is Tron S-VDR Capsule?

Tron S-VDR Capsule is a combined FRM (Final Recording Medium) and Cospas-Sarsat EPIRB (406 & 121.5 Mhz). It has a Memory module with standard 1.7GB storage capacity, and 10 Mbit Ethernet with TCP/IP interface. The memory module can be ordered as an option in larger sizes at an extra cost. The capsule will store 12 hours of voyage data from the S-VDR system. If the ship is sinking, the capsule will float free and automatically transmit its position together with its MMSI and other ship specific data for at least 7 days. The Tron S-VDR Capsule can also be activated manually. The capsule can be retrieved, and the data read back in conjunction with the ship owner, the maritime investigator and the S-VDR manufacturer (See MSC/Circ. 1024).
121.5/406 Ant.

EPIRB electronics

FRM 1.7GB storage media

TCP/IP Battery 24V DC 10Base-T Ethernet

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0,5

What JOTRON need to know when receiving an order:

Name of S-VDR manufacturer and type of system Standard size of memory? (Optional 3.7 GB) Shall the FRM part be specially prepared? ( IP adress, host name, password) Shall the EPIRB be programmed? Ship info : 1. IMO number 2. Name of Vessel 3. MMSI 4. Call sign 5. Country 6. Protocol to be programmed, either Serial or MMSI, if know Information about ships can be found here: http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars/ship_search.sh What kind of transportation will be used? (Sea, Air , Car etc)

JOTRON can deliver Tron S-VDR Capsule in three different ways

1. 2.

3.

Tron S-VDR Capsule may be prepared and programmed by JOTRON The Tron S-VDR Capsule may be programmed by one of JOTRONs agents. There are more than 200 around the world. See information at:http://www.jotron.com/maritime/default.htm and press Agents in the left menu You may obtain your own programming equipment, a PRU-40 with software PR40. This can be purchased from us. You will have to undertake a programming course to use this equipment. The programming course will last for one day and will cover the following issues: How the COSPAS-SARSAT system works Programming of S-VDR Capsule (EPIRB) Maintenance and regulations (MSC/Circ. 1040, MSC/Circ. 1039 and SOLAS chapter IV./15.9.2)

Transportation, how?

The battery of the Tron S-VDR Capsule is classified as Dangerous goods, Class 9, and must therefore be transported as such. Subject to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations UN3090/UN3091 for transportation by air.

How long will it take for JOTRON to supply a Tron S-VDR Capsule anywhere in the world?
*

If we have the Tron S-VDR Capsule in stock, we can normally deliver anywhere* within a week or a week and a half. (After receipt of written order)
Destination needs to be fairly close to an international airport

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Where should it be mounted?

The requirements for where it should be mounted are described in COMSAR Circ.32 from 2003, see chapter 4.10 about EPIRB placement:
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=4511/32.pdf 4.10 Satellite float-free EPIRB The satellite float-free EPIRB should be located/installed so that the following requirements are fulfilled: .1 The EPIRB should, with greatest possible probability, float-free and avoid beingcaught in railings, superstructure, etc., if the ship sinks. .2 The EPIRB should be located so that it may be easily released manually and brought to the survival craft by one person. It should therefore not be located in a radar mast or any other places which can only be reached by vertical ladder. (SOLAS 1974, as amended, regulations IV/7.1.6, 8.1.5.2, 9.1.3.1, 10.1.4.1, 10.2.3.1 and IMO resolutions A.763(18), A.810(19), as amended, and A.812(19))

Note: - A float-free EPIRB may also be used to fulfil the requirements for one piece of equipment (of two), which is capable of transmitting distress alert to shore from or near the navigating bridge of the ship. Under such conditions the float-free EPIRB should fulfil the following additional requirements with regards to location/installation: .3 The EPIRB must be installed in the vicinity of the navigation bridge, i.e. on the wings of the navigation bridge. Access via vertical ladder should not be accepted. A location on the top of the wheelhouse may be accepted to fulfil the requirement if accessible by stairs; or (SOLAS 1974, as amended, regulation IV/7 and COM/Circ.105) It may be possible to activate the EPIRB remotely from the bridge. If remote activation is used, the EPIRB should be installed so that it has unobstructed hemispherical line of sight to the satellites.(COM/Circ.105) COMSAR/Circ.32

.4

Fig 1: Tron S-VDR CAPSULE mounted on the railings of the top of the wheehouse

Note: - It should be considered that the main function of the EPIRB is float-free activation. If the additional requirements mentioned above cannot be met without reducing the reliability of the float-free activation, priority should be given to this requirement. Alternatively, two float-free EPIRBs should be installed. .5 The EPIRB should be equipped with a buoyant lanyard suitable for use as a tether to life raft etc. Such buoyant lanyard should be so arranged as to prevent its being trapped in the ship's structure. (IMO resolutions A.810(19) and A.812 (19), as amended) The EPIRB should be marked with the ship's call sign, serial number of EPIRB, MMSI number (if applicable),15 Hex ID, and battery expiry date.

.6

And the Norwegian interpretation of the same in the NOR/NIS regulation: NOR/NIS Circular no.7- 2005: http://www.sjofartsdir.no/upload/9497/page.html
...Float-free satellite EPIRB shall be installed on the top of the wheelhouse or higher so it can be capable with the highest degree of possibility - of floating free if the ship should sink..

But this special Norwegian requirement was removed by a revision with effect from January 1st. 2007, but has so far not been translated to English as a new NOR/NIS circular. Conclusion: Should normally be mounted were the original EPIRB is mounted, since mounting on Top of the wheelhouse may require an additional EPIRB (If Tron S-VDR CAPSULE is used as Main EPIRB) See also the description in chapter 4 of the Users manual about installation. Page 3 of 8 - 17.09.2007

Prepare the Tron S-VDR Capsule before delivery

If the Tron S-VDR Capsule is not already prepared by JOTRON, the following must be carried out: FRM part: Connect to the Tron S-VDR Capsule using a dedicated computer configured as described in Technical Manual, chapter 1.6 or by S-VDR manufacturers instuctions Change IP address of the capsule, if not default are used Change host name --, -- - Change password, --, -- -EPIRB part: 1. Programming Use a computer, running the program PR40, connected to a PRU-40, programming interface unit, and program the information below into the EPIRB. (See example in the right window) MMSI (If not available use serial protocol from the ships flag state) Call sign Vessel name How to obtain data to be programmed:
1.

From Cospas-Sarsat, Handbook of regulation: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/Documents/handbookOfBeaconRegs.htm List of what kind of protocols that is possible to use for each country: Example: Some info about EPIRB coding in UK:

Fig 2: Example of PR-40 programming of Tron S-VDR CAPSULE

Fig 3: Shows coding methods of EPIRB in UK

Fig 4: Points of contacts (UK)

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2.

By reading labels on existing EPIRBs onboard.: Then use the HEX code, and decode it on

http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/Beacons/decode.htm

From the above information we can find the following important information:

3. 4. 5.

Country= 257 (Norway) Type of protocol = Standard Location- EPIRB(MMSI) MID (MMSI) = 123456 (Last 6 digits of MMSI number) Beacon no= 15

Use of PR40 to read from existing EPIRBs onboard (If JOTRON brand) AIS From http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars/ship_search.sh#start ,

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Labelling: Transfer the information from the Programming report to the label according to 4.10.6 of:
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=4511/32.pdf The EPIRB should be marked with the ship's call sign, serial number of EPIRB, MMSI number (if applicable),15 Hex ID, and battery expiry date.

Labelling may be done with these labelprinters:

Fig 5: Brother P-touch 1200

Fig 6: DYMO Labelpoint 150

Apply a transparent label to protect from UV radiation and other weather conditions

S-VDR system: Connect the Tron S-VDR Capsule to the S-VDR system and check that storage and playback function properly Supply the Programming report together with the Capsule to the ship. Send programming report to JOTRON

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Documentation
Drawings: Since Tron S-VDR is a combined VDR storage medium and EPIRB, it has an integrated antenna that need to be implemented in the drawings of the ships antenna placements. Se info here: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-guidance-regulation/mcga-dqsss_guidance_to_surveyors/mcga-ds-fvsb-msis27instructions/mcga-ds-fvsbmsis27ch13.htm See paragraph 13.3.3.7, Antenna drawings and aerial rigging plan Reports/Certificates: Programming report of the EPIRB shall be delivered together with the Tron SVDR CAPSULE to be kept onboard. Copy of this report should be stored by the company that do the installation, and an electronic copy to be sent to JOTRON beacon@jotron.com Other certificates: After installation of Tron S-VDR Capsule, the Flag state need to be informed about this new installation and that it is a combined S-VDR storage medium and EPIRB. The point of contact can be found in Handbooks of regulation as mentioned above. They will follow up the the changes in SOLAS certificates:
1.

RECORD OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE CARGO SHIP SAFETY EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATE (FORM E) - Must be filled in 5.2 Simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) RECORD OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE CARGO SHIP SAFETY RADIO CERTIFICATE (FORM R) - Must be filled in 4.1 Satellite EPIRB - Cospas-Sarsat RECORD OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE CARGO SHIP SAFETY CERTIFICATE (FORM C) - Must be filled in 5.2 Simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR)

2.

3.

Changes in these certificates is described in the IMO documents:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/imo/msc_resolutions/Resolution MSC.171(79).pdf (FORM C and FORM E)

See also information in COMSAR Circ.32 from 2003, see chapter 1.7 about Radio Licence: http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=4511/32.pdf
1.7 Ship Station Radio Licence

.1 A ship station radio licence in accordance with the Radio Regulations should be issued to the ship.
.2 The licensee (normally the shipowner) is responsible for applying for a radio licence in due time before the installation take place. (RR. Article 18) Note: - The Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number stipulated in the radio licence should be coded into the DSC equipment and, if appropriate, also into the satellite EPIRB. If the national authority accepts serial number or call sign for identification of EPIRBs, the correct serial number or call sign should be coded into the EPIRB. All these identities should be changed when a ship is transferred to another flag, and appropriate steps should be taken to ensure databases held ashore are kept current.

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Interface to the Tron S-VDR Capsule?

Standard 10Base-T Ethernet with TCP/IP protocol. JOTRON electronics has given all the relevant information to the S-VDR manufacturer. When the manufacturer has tested and approved their system, it is almost a Connect and Forget, since all the Setup is already done, and when connected to a S-VDR system, it will be recognized and are ready to be used as a Float-free Black Box.

Test, maintenance and replacement

Every 2nd month: The EPIRB part may be tested in the bracket according to User Manual chapter 5.4 Every year: Check that there are no alarms in the S-VDR panel The S-VDR annual survey will be done according to the S-VDR manufacturers instructions If the Capsule is the main EPIRB onboard, it needs to comply with SOLAS chapter. IV/15.9.1, yearly check according to MSC/Circ. 1040 http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id=5356/1040.pdf Take the Capsule out of the bracket Visual check of capsule: 1. No water ingress? 2. No cracks 3. Gasket and connector OK? (If not replace gasket or add grease as described in Fig.5) If connector is damaged, replace connector w/cable. Set switch in TEST according to Tron S-VDR Fig 7: Add grease (Molykote CAPSULE, User Manual HP-870) to the Quad-Ring Reinstall the Capsule in the bracket gasket. (Jotron Partno. 82377) or acid free Vaseline Every 2 years: Change the Hydrostatic release with plastic bolt as described in User Manual chapter 4.4 Every 5 years: Change Battery or do SBM (Shore Based Maintenance) as described in chapter 5.6 in the Users Manual. If the Capsule is the main EPIRB onboard, it needs to comply with SOLAS chapter. IV/15.9.2, according to MSC/Circ. 1039. http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id=5357/1039.pdf

References to documentation

Tron S-VDR CAPSULE Users Manual, version A2 MSC/Circ.1024 29 May 2002 GUIDELINES ON VOYAGE DATA RECORDER (VDR) OWNERSHIP AND RECOVERY MSC/Circ.1040 28 May 2002: GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF 406 MHz SATELLITE EPIRBs MSC/Circ.1039 28 May 2002: GUIDELINES FOR SHORE-BASED MAINTENANCE OF SATELLITE EPIRBs COMSAR/Circ.32 16 August 2004: HARMONIZATION OF GMDSS REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOINSTALLATIONS ON BOARD SOLAS SHIPS Shipping Batteries Safely: What FedExWants You to Know

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