The Black Box

Friday saw us aboard a large mixed bulk carrier updating software on an AIS, annual survey on a SVDR as well as piping in two video feeds for said SVDR to show the X and S band radar screens.

So what prey tell is a VDR or SVDR? Glad you asked that question cause I’m about to tell you. This subject is huge and I won’t bore you to death with minute details but I’ll give you enough information and photos just to make it bearable! Sitting comfortably? Good we’ll begin.

VDR = Voyage Data Recorder

SVDR = Simplified Voyage Data Recorder

Under the terms of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a vessel over a certain tonnage and usage is to be equipped with one of these devices. Like commercial aircraft, a ship also has a black box recorder that that can be retrieved in the event of an accident or sinking that will help determine the cause of the accident or who was a fault which is the bit the layers just love.

It’s pretty comprehensive stuff in that the system records radar or radar images, AIS data, speed, heading, rate of turn, course over ground, rudder position, door and/or cargo door alarms, VHF radio traffic and even the crews voices at various positions on the bridge and bridge wings.

Once a year, this equipment needs to be inspected to ensure that it all works as advertised and a certificate issued, depending on the classification society and flag the vessel operates under. It’s what’s called an Annual Survey or APT and is usually an all day affair to check connections, recordings, batteries etc. At the same time an APT is (usually) also carried out on the radio equipment but that is another subject for another day.

The IMO has decreed that stricter controls are necessary on this SDVR molarky because there are more and more instances of incomplete data present following an incident so tighter checks are on the way from classification societies I’m sure.

These survey’s are a great opportunity to get under the skin of ships communications and procedures and you get to see how well or, ahem unwell a vessel is managed and maintained.

This one was in great shape and a credit to her Captain, crew and owners and a pleasure to be involved with. Thanks for reading.