Navigational Instruments

MSN 242
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The Voyage Dara Recorder (VDR)
Generally, the development of autonomous
ships has forced the requirement of the e-
navigation concept, which has been defined
by the IMO (IMO, 2006) as;
Voyage Data Recorder VDR
• The VDR is a complete system for recording all the events on the
navigational bridge.
• The recorded data can be used to reconstruct the voyage details.
• A vital information is collected from the VDR system, which is used
for accidents investigation.
• This information is related to the ship’s position, movement, physical
status, command and control of the ship.
How VDR works
• VDR records the vital information on the navigational bridge,
• VDR records for a minimum period of 12 hours and up to 48 hours in
ships build after July 2014.
• record the audio records for conversation on the bridge.
• It is connected to all equipment on the bridge to record
Why we need the VDR?
• Purpose/benefits of VDR
• VDR data can be used for :
• 1. Accident investigations
• 2. Response Assessment
• 3. Training support
• 4. Promotion of best practices
• 5. Reduction of insurance cost
procedure in case of a collision?
• These data resorted form a Data Recording Unit
(DRU).The data can be retrieved by using playback
software for investigation after an incident.
How we can recover the VDR capsule?
• It is fitted on the monkey island, in some ships with
the hydraulic released unit for automatic floating in
case of sinking.
• It can withstand a sever weather and pressure, so the
data are protected.
• The VDR is fitted with underwater acoustic beacon,
this transmit signals that can be detected by ship and
airplane units for the recovery of the VDR.
What data VDR records?
• Date and time • Main alarms
• Ship’s position • Rudder order and response
• Speed and heading • Hull opening (doors) status
• Bridge audio • Watertight and fire door status
• Communication audio (radio) • Speed and acceleration
• Radar data • Hull stresses
• ECDIS data • Wind speed and direction
• Echo sounder
S-VDR
An S-VDR (Simplified VDR) is the same as a VDR. There is no principle difference between a VDR and
an S-VDR except the amount of information required to be recorded by S-VDR is less.

DATA RECORDED BY S-VDR:

DATA ITEM SOURCE
Date and time Preferably external to ship (e.g. GNSS)
Ship's position electronic positioning system
Speed (Through the water or over the Ship's SDME
ground)
Heading Ship's compass
Bridge Audio 1 or more bridge microphones
Communications audio VHF communications
Radar data: post-display selection Master radar display
AIS Data AIS to be recorded if it is impossible to record
radar data.
If radar is recorded AIS may be recorded as an
additional source of information.
Other items Additional items required for VDR when
interfacing available.
Q2: Describe the concept VDR, state all recorded information by VDR,
and IMO related regulations?
a VDR or voyage data recorder is an instrument safely installed on a
ship to continuously record vital information related to the operation of
a vessel.
Data recorded on VDR / SVDR are as following:
Date and time (VDR)Ship’s position (VDR)Speed and heading
(VDR)Bridge audio (VDR)Communication audio (radio) (VDR)Radar data
(VDR)ECDIS data (VDR)Echo sounder Main alarms Rudder order and
response Hull opening (doors) status Watertight and fire door status
Speed and acceleration Hull stresses Wind speed and direction
• Q26- Explain the purpose of VDR , List the data recorded on VDR/
SVDR and data retrieving procedure in case of a collision?
• a VDR or voyage data recorder is an instrument safely installed on a
ship to continuously record vital information related to the operation
of a vessel.Data recorded on VDR / SVDR are as following:
• Date and time (SVDR)Ship’s position (SVDR)Speed and heading
(SVDR)Bridge audio (SVDR)Communication audio (radio) (SVDR)Radar
data (SVDR)ECDIS data (SVDR)Echo sounder Main alarms Rudder
order and response Hull opening (doors) status Watertight and fire
door status Speed and acceleration Hull stresses Wind speed and
direction
• These data resorted form a Data Recording Unit (DRU).The data can
be retrieved by using playback software for investigation after an
incident.