APT for VDR

Voyage data recorder, or VDR, is a data recording system designed for all vessels required to comply with the IMO's International Convention SOLAS Requirements (IMO Res.A.861(20)) in order to collect data from various sensors on board the vessel. It then digitizes, compresses and stores this information in an externally mounted protective storage unit. The protective storage unit is a tamper-proof unit designed to withstand the extreme shock, impact, pressure and heat, which could be associated with a marine incident (fire, explosion, collision, sinking, etc.).

“Passenger ships and ships other than passenger ships of 3000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002 must carry voyage data recorders (VDRs) to assist in accident investigations, under regulations adopted in 2000, which entered into force on 1 July 2002” – (http://www.imo.org)

VDR requirements

Under regulation 20 of SOLAS chapter V on Voyage data recorders (VDR), the following ships are required to carry VDRs:

• ·          passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002;
• ·          ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2002;
• ·          passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 not later than 1 January 2004; and
• ·          ships, other than passenger ships, of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002.

VDRs are required to meet performance standards "not inferior to those adopted by the Organization".

Regulation18 of SOLAS chapter V on Approval, surveys and performance standards of navigational systems and equipment and voyage data recorder states that:

The voyage data recorder (VDR) system, including all sensors, shall be subjected to an annual performance test. The test shall be conducted by an approved testing or servicing facility to verify the accuracy, duration and recoverability of the recorded data. In addition, tests and inspections shall be conducted to determine the serviceability of all protective enclosures and devices fitted to aid location. A copy of a the certificate of compliance issued by the testing facility, stating the date of compliance and the applicable performance standards, shall be retained on board the ship.

(Source: http://www.imo.org)

INMATECH is authorized to perform VDR APT on behalf of following VDR manufacturers – Danelec Marine. Our VDR technicians also have all participated in courses about the legal framework for VDR. Since these systems are an important element in the analysis of accidents or near miss incidents, it is imperative that they are always in order and able to record the required data. In connection with our quality control, all VDR survey reports are reviewed internally before they are forwarded to the customer and the classification society plus one copy to the manufacturer.