Voyage data recorders (VDR) collect, process and store shipboard sensor data to provide information in the aftermath of an incident at sea. They are basically black boxes that help determine the root of marine accidents and contribute to their prevention.
VDRs and SVDRs must be installed on all ships with a gross tonnage of 3,000 or greater on or on or after July 1, 2002. A VDR/SVDR is an electronic storage medium that can be able to withstand pressures and shocks caused by marine accidents like sinking, fire, collision or even sinking.
The system is designed for collecting data from a variety sensors on a ship as well as compressing and digitizing it prior to storing it in an enclosure that is secured externally. The tamperproof box is designed to withstand the most severe heat, impact, and shock as well as pressures that could be encountered during a maritime incident, like a collision or a fire.
Members may want to upgrade their VDR/SVDR systems to ensure they can keep information for a longer time. The IMO performance standard only requires the VDR/S-VDR to keep data for a maximum of 12 hours after the incident, before it is erased.
A growing number of manufacturers are now offering a “MantaDigital” S-VDR that can be accessed remotely similar to the method airlines’ FDR data is analyzed after an incident. This enables technical issues onboard to be diagnosed remotely and facilitates the implementation of proactive maintenance processes. Regular shoreside playbacks also assist bridge teams in analyzing the trends in their performance and identifying improvement opportunities.
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