VDR is an equivalent of a ship’s black box of an aircraft. It records all the details of an accident on the sea, including the time, date and location, speed, and course of the ship. The information recorded can be used to determine the potential hazards to safety and to improve operational procedures.
According to IMO regulations what is the purpose of a data audit the standard VDR is required to record an array of information. This includes dates and times that are referred to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and vessel’s position (latitude, longitude, coordinate reference) as well as speed and heading and bridge audio (acquisition of voice messages recorded by one or more microphones that are placed on the bridge to record conversations and audible alarms) and Very High Frequency radio communications (VHF) and radar information (a faithful replica of the display which was on view at the time of the recording) the rudder’s order and response engine order and response watertight doors, their status, as well as accelerations and hull stress.
The system comprises an encoder that process and encodes the data stream, sensors that provide input to the concentrator, and a final recording medium (FRM) designed to survive accidents and allow for the recovery of voyage data. The FRM can be fixed on the vessel or a retrievable floating unit that is connected to EPIRB to pinpoint the location of the vessel in the event of an accident.
The most efficient way to ensure the integrity of the vdr system is to make its use an integral component of bridge drills and training of the crew. The data saved can be used to identify areas that require training, and to enhance bridge procedures and operational security.