Voyage Data Recorder – VDR

The VDR is a recoverable data recorder for use on seagoing vessels, which is the equivalent to aircraft flight data recorders.

In SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 20 it is determined that all passenger vessels and all new ships of 3000 gross tonnage and above on international voyages have to be equipped with a VDR. Existing cargo ships on international voyages are to be retrofitted with an S-VDR (simplified VDR).

In their technical specifications, shipborne voyage data recorders are far superior to aircraft black boxes because they store a much larger variety of data. Besides the usual voice recording feature, VDR systems also record all important navigational and engine data as well as four radar and ECDIS pictures a minute. Two data protective capsules (submerssive capsule and free-floating capsule) store the recorded data of the last 48 hours. Older data is continuously overwritten with latest data. The submerssive capsule must be capable of withstanding heavy collisions, fires, and pressure conditions in several thousand metres of water.

Unlike shipborne automatic identification systems (AIS), VDR do not support safe navigation in the proper sense. The purpose of “Maritime Black Boxes” is to act as a reliable data source in the reconstruction of marine casualties. They will help to avoid past mistakes and increase the safety of navigation in general.

Voyage Data recorders require an EU certificate.