VOYAGE DATA RECORDER

By : Group 3 N-J1A1
VOYAGE DATA
RECORDER
 The IMO defines the Voyage
Data Recorder as a complete
system, including any items
required to interface with the
sources of input signals, their
processing and encoding, the
final recording medium, the
playback equipment, the power
supply and dedicated reserve
power source.
VOYAGE DATA
RECORDER
 A maritime “black box”, Voyage
Data Recorder is an equipment
fiatted onboard ships that
record the various data on a
ship which can be used for
reconstruction of the voyage
details and vital information
during an accident
investigation.
VOYAGE DATA
RECORDER
 Information is stored in a secure
and retrievable form, relating to
the position, movement,
physical status, command and
control of a ship over the period
and following an incident. This
information is used during
any subsequent safety
investigation to identify the
cause(s) of the incident.
VOYAGE DATA
RECORDER
 Aside from its usage in accident
investigation, it can also be
used for preventive
maintenance, performance
efficiency monitoring, heavy
weather damage analysis,
accident avoidance and training
purposes to improve safety and
reduce running costs.
UNDERSTANDING VDR

It contains a voice recording system for a period of at least last 12 hours (for VDRs installed post-July 2014,
the period of the integrated details recorded is 48 hours as per the MSC Resolution 333.90). This recording is
recovered and made use of for investigation in events of accidents in a compressed and digitised format.

A ship’s VDR is far superior to a black box of an aeroplane as it stores a variety of data and that too for not
less than a period of 12 hours. The data records covering the last 12 hours are continuously overwritten by
the latest data.

A VDR is capable of withstanding heavy weather, collisions, fires and pressure conditions even when a ship is
at a depth of several meters in water.
HOW VDR WORKS?
The VDR can be classified to contain following units,
 HOW VDR WORKS?
The VDR can be classified to contain following units,

 Data Collection Unit (DCU) -

fitted on the bridge that pulls
in data from all the integrated
sources.
 The DCU contains the Data
Processor Unit, interface
modules and backup batteries.
It collects data from sensors as
required by the IMO and IEC
standards.
 HOW VDR WORKS?
The VDR can be classified to contain following units,

 Data Recording Unit (DRU) - fitted

on the monkey island that stores
all the data that is recorded via the
unit within the wheelhouse.

 The flash memory in the DRU

stores the data coming from the
DCU. The data can be retrieved by
using playback software for
investigation after an incident.
The DRU components are
embodied in the protective
capsule.
 HOW VDR WORKS?
The VDR can be classified to contain following units,

Microphones to record
bridge audio.
 HOW VDR WORKS?
The VDR can be classified to contain following units,

The batteries supply

power to the DCU to
record bridge audio for
2 hours in case of a
main ship’s power
failure.
 HOW VDR WORKS?
The VDR can be classified to contain following units,

 The capsule ensures survival

and recovery of the recorded
data after an incident.
 The data that is collected or
pulled in from all the
integrated sources is, as
mentioned above, kept in the
storage capsule and holds
information for the 12 hours
(or 48 hours) preceding it and
continuously refreshed as the
voyage progresses.
 HOW VDR WORKS?
The VDR can be classified to contain following units,

 There is also a record button provided

in the bridge unit so that after pushing
button (say during starting of any
incident like collision or grounding),
the recorder will start recording a new
set of information from that period.
 The capsule mentioned above is a very
sturdy unit, capable of withstanding
shock and pressures associated with a
marine mishap (collision, grounding,
bad weather etc). It might be a float-
free arrangement as with the HRU or
attached with the EPIRB for
simultaneous release.
 CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR VDR
As with all the navigational equipment carried onboard, the VDR also comes under the purview of the SOLAS Chapter V,
Regulation 20 as well as Annex 10. The details of it are as follows:

Paragraph Type of vessel VDR or S-VDR

20.1.1 Passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002 VDR
20.1.2 Ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 VDR
20.1.3 Passenger ships other than ro-ro constructed before 1 July 2002 VDR
20.1.4 Ships other than passenger ships of 3000 gt. and upwards constructed on or after 1 VDR
July 2002
20.2.1 Cargo ships of 20000 gt. and upwards constructed before 1 July 2002* VDR or S-VDR
20.2.2 Cargo ships of 3000 gt. up to 20000 gt. constructed before 1 July 2002 * VDR or S-VDR
20.2.3 * Cargo ships built before 1 July 2002 may be exempted from requirements to carry VDR
VDR /S-VDR when they are to be taken permanently out of service within 2 years of
the relevant implementation date.
S-VDR

 The SVDR is nothing but a

simplified VDR, that records
information that is only
necessary and does not record
information as extensive as the
VDR. Naturally, it is more cost
effective and more in usage on
board merchant ships. The
concept of SVDR can be best
understood by comparing the
data below with that of the VDR.
Mandatory information to be
recorded in an SVDR are marked
next to the category above. The
last two interfaces of Radar and
ECDIS may be recorded only if
there are standard interfaces
available.
S-VDR

 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.
 THE VDR AT LEAST MUST RECORD THE
FOLLOWING:

 Date and time (SVDR)  Echo sounder

 Ship’s position (SVDR)  Main alarms

 Speed and heading (SVDR)  Rudder order and response

 Bridge audio (SVDR)  Hull opening (doors) status

 Communication audio (radio) (SVDR)  Watertight and fire door status

 Radar data (SVDR)  Speed and acceleration

 ECDIS data (SVDR)  Hull stresses

 Wind speed and direction
 INPUT VDR SVDR
Date and time ✓ ✓
Ship’s position ✓ ✓
Speed and heading ✓ ✓
Bridge audio ✓ ✓
Communication audio ✓ ✓
Radar data ✓ ✓
ECDIS data ✓ ✓
Echo sounder ✓
Main alarms ✓
Rudder order and response ✓
Only when they are available
Hull opening (doors) status ✓
on the bridge via an IEC
Watertight and fire door status ✓
61162 interface
Speed and acceleration ✓
Hull stresses ✓
Wind speed and direction ✓
GENERAL OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 The VDR should continuously maintain sequential records of pre-selected data

items relating to the status and output of the ship’s equipment and command and
control of the ship. To permit subsequent analysis of factors surrounding an
incident, the method of recording should ensure that the various data items can
be correlated in date and time during playback on suitable equipment.
 The system should include functions to perform a performance test at any time,
e.g. annually or following repair or maintenance work to the VDR or any signal
source providing data to the VDR. This test may be conducted using the playback
equipment and should ensure that all the required data items are being correctly
recorded.
 PRO-ACTIVE USE OF VDR DATA
The installation of VDR software in the ship manager’s office is recommended. This allows downloaded data to be regularly reviewed by
managers and superintendents who can identify not only the areas in need of improvement but also examples of best practice

1. Means to appraise and enhance bridge procedures and operational safety.

2. Data can be used for identifying training needs and reinforcing existing good
practice.
3. Recording and reviewing ‘near miss’ incidents can help in internal investigations
and identify ‘lessons learnt’ and assess company policies and procedures.
4. Confirms that a complete set of input data is being correctly recorded.
 COMMON PROBLEMS OF VDR AND SVDR

1. Downloaded data found to be damaged or incomplete, such as missing radar

display, audio recording or information on course, speed and position.
2. The period of time covered by the download is different to the time-frame in
which the relevant incident occurred.
3. VDR hardware malfunctions not triggering the in-built alarm.
4. Deck officers may have incomplete understanding of the operation of the VDR
fitted on their ships.
5. VDR data not promptly saved after an incident and consequently being
overwritten and lost.
MAINTENANCE

 As with all navigational equipment, checks and maintenance are important for
proper operation of any electronic systems. Only qualified personnel should work
inside the equipment. As far as routine checks are concerned, examine the cables
for signs of damage and also check that all connections are rigid. The battery
should be replaced every four years, the backup battery must be replaced with
new one by a qualified service engineer. Regulation 18.8 of SOLAS Chapter V
states the requirements for maintenance. A certificate stating that the results of
such tests were satisfactory is to be retained onboard.
UNDERWATER
ACOUSTIC
BEACON
 This beacon can be seen in
the capsule on the monkey
island and is fitted as a
homing device to locate the
capsule after a mishap. It is
attached to a bracket on the
capsule. Triggered by
immersion in water, they
give out pulses in the
ultrasonic that can be
detected by airborne or
shipborne units.
The importance of the VDR cannot be stressed enough.
While it is always in every seafarer’s best endeavor that a
mishap does not occur at all, it is imperative to know the
importance of a VDR in such a situation.
It is important to understand that the VDR/SVDR is not
just a way to record data for use later on during accident
investigation but it gives the trainers as well as the
trainees to understand real life situations at sea and the
ways they could be combatted to further prevent any
future mishaps, enabling better practical approach
towards ship operations at sea.
THANK YOU 
 MEMBERS:

Arnel Lithor Mediodia • Kim Harvey Mira

Jefrey Rabino • Mark Anthony Viagedor
Christian Eluna Nadela
• James Andrei Melivo
Erik Morcilla
Noel Necitos • John Clark Mahusay
John Ryan Magaru • Joebert Bryan Petilos