MSC 90/28/Add.

1
Annex 21, page 1
ANNEX 21
RESOLUTION MSC.333(90)
(adopted on 22 May 2012)
ADOPTION OF REVISED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR
SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS (VDRs)

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO resolution A.886(21), by which the Assembly resolved that the function of
adopting performance standards and technical specifications, as well as amendments
thereto shall be performed by the Maritime Safety Committee and/or the Marine Environment
Protection Committee, as appropriate, on behalf of the Organization,
RECALLING FURTHER that, by resolution A.861(20), the Assembly, at its twentieth session,
adopted Performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs), which were
amended by resolution MSC.214(81), adopted by the Committee, at its eighty-first session,
RECOGNIZING the need to revise the performance standards for VDRs to assist in
investigations into casualties,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation by the Sub-Committee on Safety of
Navigation, at its fifty-seventh session,
1.
ADOPTS the Revised Recommendation on performance standards for voyage data
recorders (VDRs), set out in the annex to the present resolution;
2.

RECOMMENDS Governments to ensure that VDRs:

.1

if installed on or after 1 July 2014, conform to performance standards not

inferior to those specified in the annex to the present resolution; and

.2

if installed before 1 July 2014, conform to performance standards not

inferior to those specified in the annex to resolution A.861(20), as amended
by resolution MSC.214(81).

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ANNEX
RECOMMENDATION ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
FOR SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS (VDRs)

PURPOSE

The purpose of a voyage data recorder (VDR) is to maintain a store, in a secure and
retrievable form, of information concerning the position, movement, physical status,
command and control of a ship over the period leading up to and following an incident having
an impact thereon. Information contained in a VDR should be made available to both the
Administration and the shipowner. This information is for use during any subsequent safety
investigation to identify the cause(s) of the incident.
2

APPLICATION

A VDR with capabilities not inferior to those defined in these performance standards is
required to be fitted to ships of classes defined in SOLAS chapter V, as amended.
3

REFERENCES

3.1

IMO resolutions:

3.2

A.694(17)

General requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming

part of the GMDSS and for electronic navigational aids;

A.810(19)

Performance standards for float-free satellite emergency

position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) operating
on 406 MHz; and

A.1021(26)

Code on Alerts and Indicators, 2009.

IMO circular:
-

MSC/Circ.982

Guidelines on ergonomic criteria for bridge equipment and

layout.

DEFINITIONS

4.1
Voyage data recorder (VDR) means a complete system, including any items
required to interface with the sources of input signals, their processing and encoding, the
final recording medium, the playback equipment, the power supply and dedicated reserve
power source.
4.2
Signal source means any sensor or device external to the VDR, to which the VDR is
connected and from which it obtains signals and data to be recorded.
4.3
Final recording medium means the items of hardware on which the data is recorded
such that access to any one of them would enable the data to be recovered and played back
by use of suitable equipment. The combination of a fixed recording medium and float-free
recording medium and long-term recording medium, together, is recognized as the final
recording medium.

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4.4
Fixed recording medium means a part of the final recording medium which is
protected against fire, shock, penetration and a prolonged period on the ocean floor. It is
expected to be recovered from the deck of the ship that has sunk. It has a means of
indicating location.
4.5
Float-free recording medium means a part of the final recording medium which
should float-free after a sinking. It has a means of indicating location.
4.6
Long-term recording medium means a permanently installed part of the Final
Recording Medium. It provides the longest record duration and has a readily accessible
interface for downloading the stored data.
4.7
Playback equipment means any data medium with the playback software,
the operational instructions and any special parts required for connecting a
commercial off-the-shelf laptop computer to the VDR.
4.8
Playback software means a copy of the software program to provide the capability to
download the stored data and play back the information. The software should be compatible
with an operating system available with commercial off-the-shelf laptop computers and where
non-standard or proprietary formats are used for storing the data in the VDR, the software
should convert the stored data into open industry standard formats.
4.9
Dedicated reserve power source means a battery, with suitable automatic charging
arrangements, dedicated solely to the VDR, of sufficient capacity to operate it as required
by 5.4.2.
4.10
Configuration data describes the vessel's equipment, its installation on the vessel
and its relation to the VDR. The storage and playback software uses this data to store the
data record and to convert the data record into information that assists casualty investigation
during playback.
5

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1

General

5.1.1
The VDR should continuously maintain sequential records of preselected data items
relating to the status and output of the ship's equipment, and command and control of the
ship, referred to in 5.5.
5.1.2
To permit subsequent analysis of factors surrounding an incident, the method of
recording should ensure that the various data items can be co-related in date and time during
playback on suitable equipment.
5.1.3
The system should include functions to perform a performance test at any time,
e.g. annually or following repair or maintenance work to the VDR or any signal source
providing data to the VDR. This test may be conducted using the playback equipment and
should ensure that all the required data items are being correctly recorded.
5.1.4
The design and construction, which should be in accordance with the requirements
of resolution A.694(17) and international standards acceptable to the Organization1, should
take special account of the requirements for data security and continuity of operation as
detailed in 5.3 and 5.4.

Refer to publication IEC 60945 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems
General requirements, methods of testing and required test results.

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5.2

Final recording medium

The final recording medium should consist of the following items:

5.2.1

.1

fixed recording medium;

.2

float-free recording medium; and

.3

long-term recording medium.

Fixed recording medium

The fixed recording medium should be installed in a fixed protective capsule which should
meet all of the following requirements:

5.2.2

.1

be capable of being accessed following an incident but secure against a

physical or electronically manipulated change or deletion of recorded data;

.2

maintain the recorded data for a period of at least two years following
termination of recording;

.3

maximize the probability of survival against fire, shock, penetration and

deep-sea-pressure and recovery of the final recorded data after any
incident;

.4

be of a highly visible colour and marked with retro-reflective materials; and

.5

be fitted with an appropriate device to aid location under water.

Float-free recording medium

The float-free recording medium should be installed in a float-free capsule which should meet
all of the following requirements:
.1

be fitted with means to facilitate grappling and recovery;

.2

maintain the recorded data for a period of at least six months following
termination of recording;

.3

be so constructed as to comply with the requirements specified in

resolution A.810(19) and to minimize risk of damage during recovery
operations;

.4

be capable of transmitting an initial locating signal and further locating

homing signal for at least 48 hours over a period of not less than seven
days/168 hours; and

.5

be capable of being accessed following an incident but secure against a

physical or electronically manipulated change or deletion of recorded data.

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5.2.3

Long-term recording medium

The long-term recording medium should:

5.3

.1

be capable of being accessed from an internal, easily accessible area of

the ship; and

.2

provide access to the data held on it but be secured against a physical or

electronically manipulated change or deletion of recorded data.

Data selection and security

5.3.1
The minimum amount of data items to be recorded by the VDR is specified in 5.5.
Optionally, additional items may be recorded provided that the requirements for the recording
and storage of the specified selections are not compromised.
5.3.2
The equipment should be so designed that, as far as is practical, it is not possible to
manipulate the amount of data being recorded by the VDR, the data itself nor the data which
has already been recorded. Any attempt to interfere with the integrity of the data or the
recording should be recorded.
5.3.3
The recording method should be such that each item of the recorded data is
checked for integrity and an alarm given if a non-correctable error is detected.
5.4

Continuity of operation

5.4.1
The VDR should be capable of operating from the ship's main and emergency
source of electrical power.
5.4.2
If the ship's source of electrical power supply fails, the VDR should continue to
record Bridge Audio (see 5.5.5) from the dedicated reserve power source for a period
of 2 hours. At the end of this 2 hour period all recording should cease automatically.
5.4.3
Recording should be continuous unless terminated in accordance with 5.4.2. The
time for which all stored data items are retained should be at least 30 days/720 hours on the
long-term recording medium and at least 48 hours on the fixed and float-free recording
media. Data items which are older than this may be overwritten with new data.
5.5

Data items to be recorded

5.5.1

Date and time

Date and time, referenced to UTC, should be obtained from a source external to the ship and
an internal clock should be synchronized with valid date and time data. During times of a
loss of the external source, the internal clock should be used. The recording should indicate
which source is in use. The recording method should be such that the timing of all other
recorded data items can be derived on playback with a resolution and continuity sufficient to
reconstruct the history of the incident in detail.
5.5.2

Ship's position

Latitude and longitude, and the datum used, should be derived from an electronic
position-fixing system (EPFS). The recording should ensure that the identity and status of
the EPFS can always be determined on playback.
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5.5.3

Speed

Speed through the water and speed over the ground, including an indication of which it is,
derived from the ship's speed and distance measuring equipment, as required by SOLAS
regulations.
5.5.4

Heading

Heading as indicated by the ship's heading source.

5.5.5

Bridge audio

Microphones should be positioned on the bridge covering all work stations as described in
MSC/Circ.982 so that conversation is recorded. The recording should be such that, on
playback, a normal speaking voice should provide adequate intelligibility while the ship is
performing its normal operations. This performance should be maintained at all work
stations while there is a single audio alarm anywhere on the bridge or any noise, including
noise from faulty equipment or mounting, or wind. This should be achieved through the use
of at least two channels of audio recording. Microphones positioned outside on bridge wings,
should be recorded on at least one additional separate channel.
5.5.6

Communications audio

VHF communications relating to ship operations should be recorded on an additional

separate channel to those referred to in 5.5.5.
5.5.7

Radar

The electronic signals of the main displays of both ship's radar installations as required by
SOLAS regulations. The recording method should be such that, on playback, it is possible to
present a faithful replica of the entire radar display that was on view at the time of recording,
albeit within the limitations of any bandwidth compression techniques that are essential to the
working of the VDR.
5.5.8

ECDIS

Where a vessel is fitted with an ECDIS installation, the VDR should record the electronic
signals of the ECDIS display in use at the time as the primary means of navigation.
The recording method should be such that, on playback, it is possible to present a faithful
replica of the entire ECDIS display that was on view at the time of recording, albeit within the
limitations of any bandwidth compression techniques that are essential to the working of the
VDR and in addition the source of the chart data and the version used.
5.5.9

Echo sounder

The depth information. This should include, where available, depth under keel, the depth
scale currently being displayed and other status information.
5.5.10

Main alarms

This should include the status of all mandatory alarms on the bridge2 or as received from the
Bridge Alert Management System, if installed, recorded as individually identified alarms.
2

Resolution A.1021(26), Code on Alerts and Indicators, 2009, table 10.1.1.

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5.5.11

Rudder order and response

This should include status and settings of heading or track controller, if fitted and indicate the
control station, mode, and power unit(s) in use.
5.5.12

Engine and thruster order and response

This should include the positions of any engine telegraphs or direct engine/propeller controls
and feedback indications on the bridge, if fitted, including ahead/astern indicators and
indicate the control station in use. This should also include any thrusters if fitted and indicate
the control station in use.
5.5.13

Hull openings status

This should include all mandatory status information required to be displayed on the bridge.
5.5.14

Watertight and fire door status

This should include all mandatory status information required to be displayed on the bridge.
5.5.15

Accelerations and hull stresses

Where a ship is fitted with hull stress and response monitoring equipment, all the data items
that have been pre-selected within that equipment should be recorded.
5.5.16

Wind speed and direction

Where a ship is fitted with a suitable sensor, wind speed and direction should be recorded,
including its true or relative status.
5.5.17

AIS

All AIS data should be recorded.

5.5.18

Rolling motion

The VDR should be connected to an electronic inclinometer if installed. The recording

method should be such that the rolling motion can be reconstructed during playback.
5.5.19

Configuration data

In addition to the data items specified in 5.5.1 to 5.5.18, a data block defining the
configuration of the VDR and the sensors to which it is connected should be written into the
final recording medium during commissioning of the VDR. The data block should be
maintained up to date with respect to the vessel installation. It should include details on the
manufacturer, type and version number of a sensor, the identification and location of the
sensor and the interpretation of the sensor data. This configuration data should be
permanently retained in the final recording media and protected from modification other than
by a duly authorized person following any change to the configuration.
5.5.20

Electronic logbook

Where a ship is fitted with an electronic logbook in accordance with the standards of the
Organization the information from this should be recorded.
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6

OPERATION

The unit should be entirely automatic in normal operation.

7

DOCUMENTATION

Information describing the location of the long-term recording medium interface and
instructions describing the means of interfacing with it as referred to in 9 should be provided
in at least the English language. The equipment documentation should include guidance for
the placement of the information and instructions at a prominent position as close to the
long-term recording medium interface as practicable.
8

INTERFACING

Interfacing to the various signal sources required should be in accordance with the relevant
international interface standard, where possible3. Any connection to any item of the ship's
equipment should be such that the operation of that equipment suffers no deterioration, even
if the VDR system develops faults.
9

DOWNLOAD AND PLAYBACK EQUIPMENT FOR INVESTIGATION AUTHORITIES

9.1

Data output interface

The VDR should provide an interface for downloading the stored data and play back the
information to an external computer. The interface should be compatible with an
internationally recognized format, such as Ethernet, USB, FireWire, or equivalent. It should
be possible to perform a download of the recorded data for a user-defined period of time.
9.2

Software for data downloading and play back

9.2.1
A copy of the software program providing the capability to download the stored data
and play back the information onto a connected external laptop computer and for the
playback of the data should be provided for each VDR installation.
9.2.2
The software should be compatible with an operating system available with
commercial-off-the-shelf laptop computers and provided on a portable storage device such
as a CD-ROM, DVD, USB-memory stick, etc.
9.2.3
Instructions for executing the software and for connecting the external laptop
computer to the VDR should be provided.
9.2.4
The portable storage device containing the software, the instructions and any
special (not commercial off-the-shelf) parts necessary for the physical connection of the
external laptop computer, should be stored within the main unit of the VDR.
9.2.5
Where non-standard or proprietary formats are used for storing the data in the VDR,
the software for converting the stored data into open industry standard formats should be
provided on the portable storage device or resident in the VDR.
***

Refer to publication IEC 61162 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems
Digital interfaces.

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ANNEX 22
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE IMO/IHO HARMONIZATION
GROUP ON DATA MODELLING (HGDM)

1
In creating an e-navigation architecture, it is important to identify information and
data flows, and the interactions between applications and user interfaces. Consequently,
there needs to be a data structure to optimize the use, interoperability, flow and accessibility
of relevant information and data within the maritime domain (including both ship and shore
aspects). It is therefore important to harmonize efforts in data modelling, with the aim of
creating and maintaining a robust and extendable maritime data structure. This maritime
information and data structure will require some form of overarching coordination to ensure
the ongoing management and maintenance of the structure.
2
There may be several management roles to be performed by such a coordinating
body, (for example, the maintenance of registries and the development and adoption of
product specifications).
This management role may be shared between relevant
organizations. The structure is a highly important element by which e-navigation can
modernize the operational environment of the maritime industry and also fulfil the
requirement of document MSC 85/26, annex 20.
3
The HGDM should be constituted of representatives of IMO and IHO Member States
and Secretariats, and organizations with an official IMO/IHO observer status.
4
The HGDM should be chaired by an IMO Member State and supported by the
Secretariat of the IMO.
5
The HGDM reports to the IMO Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV), and
to the IHO through the IHB Directing Committee, as appropriate.
6

The HGDM should:

.1

.2

as requested by the IMO or the IHO, consider matters related to the

framework for data access and information services under the scope of
SOLAS, using as a baseline IHO's S-100 standard, with a view to
harmonize and standardize:
.1

formats for the collection, exchange and distribution of data;

.2

processes and procedures for the collection; and

.3

development of open standard interfaces; and

review the results of studies by the IMO, the IHO and other related
organizations which address aspects of access to information services
under the scope of SOLAS, and advise the IMO and the IHO as to whether
they are compatible with the e-navigation concept taking into account the
identified user needs as they exist at the time.

***

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