VDR

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What is VDR (Voyage Data Recorder) ?

Microphone Units

Remote Display and Replay

(Optional)

Voyage Data Capsule

VDR Main Unit

Input Data from Radar, Echo Sounder, Log, Gyro, Wind Meter, GPS etc.

Power Supply

(Fixed or or Float-free Type)

(Main, Emergency and Reserve)

Simplified Simplified VDR diagram

Captain Yashpal Singh

VDR (VOYAGE DATA RECORDER): VDR is a marine counterpart of black box used in aviation industry. It is used for recording and storing critical parameters pertaining to ship’s operation and progress. The record is retrievable and helps accident investigators in reconstructing the sequence of events culminating in the incident. Thus rather than making assumptions and relying on skills of speculation, the situation can be analyzed in a systematic and logical manner and the cause(s) of accident can be ascertained with greater and assured accuracy. Not only that, the investigations can be concluded faster and with optimum use of time, human and material material resources. There is recording facility in ECDIS as well, where data is recorded minute by minute for a period of 12 hours. However this record comprises only the ECDIS picture and does not contain all the critical data. The recorded data should be capable of being downloaded to a PC so that it can be played back for analysis and investigation. Additionally navigator can use this for self analysis, as lessons-learning tool and thus improvement of procedures in the future. VDR should have high level of technical flexibility so that it can be interfaced with existing equipment.

VDR consists of following parts: For more details please visit: www.captyashpal.blogspot.com

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Power Supply Unit: The VDR is supplied with electrical energy via this unit. In addition to the supply from main source, VDR is also powered with emergency supply and also provided with reserve power for specific task.

VDR Main Unit: The unit receives the variety of data from different sensors via interface. It processes all the data and stores them in compatible format. It is directly connected to power supply unit.

Microphone Units: It consists of microphone units strategically located to record voices a nd onboard communications. The microphones placed in wheel/house, bridge wings, E/R and other critical places.

VDR Capsule: This may be fixed type or float-free type and is usually located in place free from obstructions, such as Monkey Island. It is designed to meet stringent requirements of withstanding shock, pressure tightness, easy detection, fire resistance, impact etc.

Alarm Unit: This is part of the Main data Unit and warns the OOW of any malfunction and equipment equipment errors. Replay Station (optional): This unit is not compulsory. Where fitted, it can be used to download and replay the recorded data. This way the unit can be put to use for selfanalysis, meeting training needs and improving the operation practices and procedures.

Operation: The VDR will continuously maintain a sequential record: Of pre-selected data items related to ship status,  Output of the ship’s equipment and   Command and control of the ship. The VDR shall record and store the following:

Status and Alarms: Bridge alarms, Status of hull openings, water tight doors, fire doors, hull stresses and accelerations.

Navigational equipment outputs: Heading, ROT, speed, position, time, date, radar picture, echo sounder output and wind direction/speed. Command and Control: Rudder order/response, Engine order/response, onboard communication, communication, communication with other ships/stations.

VDR Capsule: The voyage data capsule shall be entirely automatic and record data without human intervention. It shall continuously record 12 hours of data from the VDR system. The

For more details please visit: www.captyashpal.blogspot.com

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subsequent data will keep overwriting the previous data. The capsule will be installed in a protective casing that is brightly coloured and fitted with an appropriate device to aid location. Further: It will be designed to allow copies of incident data to be made.  It may be fixed or float free capsule   It should be able to withstand impact equivalent to 250kg pin dropped from height of 3m. It should withstand fire at 260 degree Celsius for 10hrs   It should withstand withstand pressure at depths depths of up to 6000m It should be fitted with acoustic beacon 

Fixed type or Float-free type: The choice is left to the ship owner. Each type has its own advantages advantag es and requirements. Fixed: Initial capital cost is more. The recovery is expensive and tedious. The underwater beacon required to operate for 28 days following immersion. This gives time for an accurate position fix to be obtained during a one month period. The decision or necessity to recover the capsule can be postponed for up to two years post incident. Float-free: Initial cost is less. The recovery is cheaper, faster and simpler. The beacon is designed to operate for 7 days following release from the vessel. The capsule must be located within this time frame, irrespective of priorities or sea conditions.

Advantages of VDR: 1. Accident investigation and enquiry is simpler, cheaper and faster. 2. Causal factors in an accident can be pinpointed with greater certainty. 3. It can be used for enhancing safety by addressing shortcomings becoming apparent by self-analysis.\ 4. Eventually as the performance improves, claims and subsequently insurance premium will come down. 5. Generation and study of data is easier, which will have multi-faceted use for the industry.

Annual Performance Test: VDR will be subjected to an annual performance test carried out by a suitably Competent Person. The annual testing and checks must be carried in conjunction with the relevant Statutory Survey (e.g. Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PC), Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (CSC) or Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (SEC)).The VDR check must also be carried out within the survey period permitted by the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification. The Survey Window allowed is up to 3 months before the due date for PC; and -/+ 3 months of due date for CSC and SEC. (Thus the Maximum period between subsequent checks of the VDR is 15 months for Passenger vessels and 18 months for Cargo vessels).


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Where vessels are on a partial continuous survey regime the VDR annual performance testing can be scheduled into the continuous survey cycle. The Competent Person shall check among other things, mainly: accuracy of data recorded, duration for which data is recorded and recoverability recoverability of data recorded.

Data Ownership and Recovery: Non-catastrophic accident: In such cases the data recovery recovery is obviously obviously simple and straightforward. T his simply means an initiative in the direction of preserving the evidence soon after the accident, for use by both the investigator and the ship owner. This usually will be carried out by ship staff under the orders of Master, who in turn will be implementing the ship owners’ standing orders.

Abandon ship: In the case of abandonment of a vessel during an emergency, master should exercise due diligence, without compromising the safety of life, in recovering the stored data. The master should further remove it to a place of safety and to preserve it until it can be passed to the investigator.

Catastrophic accident: In the case a vessel has sunk and the data has not been retrieved prior to abandonment, a decision will need to be taken by the Flag State in consultation with any other substantially interested states. The decision will depend on the viability of recovering the protective capsule against against the potential use of the information. If decision is to recover the capsule, the investigator will be entrusted with responsibility. The assistance and cooperation of the owners, insurers and the manufacturers of the VDR and those of the protective capsule may be required. Expert assistance may also have to be hired to maximize the recovery and preservation of the data.

Custody of VDR data: The way investigators are allowed all access to bell books, log books, charts, course recorders and other sources of evidence, the investigator, in all circumstances, during the course of an investigation, should have custody of the original VDR data. Although the investigator will have custody of the original VDR data, a copy of the data must be provided to the ship owner in all circumstances. Further access to the data will be governed by the applicable domestic legislation of the flat state, coastal state and the lead investigating investigating state as appropriate.

Ownership of VDR/data: The ship owner will, in all circumstances circumstances and at all times, own the VDR and its data. In all circumstances the responsibility to arrange down loading and read-out of the data from the recovered memory in whatever form should, in the first instance, be undertaken by the investigator who should keep keep the ship owner fully fully informed. informed. Additionally, Additionally, especially in the case of a catastrophic accident where the memory may have sustained


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damage, the assistance of specialist expertise may be required to ensure the best chance of success.


VDR

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