IEC 61996-1:2007
(Main)Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems - Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR) - Part 1: Voyage data recorder (VDR) - Performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems - Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR) - Part 1: Voyage data recorder (VDR) - Performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results
Specifies the minimum performance requirements, technical characteristics and methods of testing, and required test results, for shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR) installations as required by Chapter V of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended. Takes account of IMO resolution A.694(17) and is associated with IEC 60945.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
IEC 61996-1
Edition 1.0 2007-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems –
Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR) –
Part 1: Voyage data recorder (VDR) – Performance requirements, methods of
testing and required test results
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,
please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.
IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: inmail@iec.ch
Web: www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
ƒ Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
ƒ IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
ƒ Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: csc@iec.ch
Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
IEC 61996-1
Edition 1.0 2007-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems –
Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR) –
Part 1: Voyage data recorder (VDR) – Performance requirements, methods of
testing and required test results
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
XA
ICS 47.020.70 ISBN 2-8318-9355-0
– 2 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.5
1 Scope.7
2 Normative references.7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations .8
3.1 Definitions .8
3.2 Abbreviations.9
4 Performance requirements.10
4.1 General .10
4.2 Purpose.10
4.3 Operational requirements.10
4.3.1 Design and construction.10
4.3.2 Maintenance of sequential records .11
4.3.3 Co-relation in date and time .11
4.3.4 Protective capsule .11
4.3.5 Interfaces .12
4.4 Data selection and security .12
4.4.1 Selection of data items.13
4.4.2 Configuration data .13
4.4.3 Resistance to tampering .13
4.4.4 Recording integrity.13
4.5 Operation .14
4.5.1 Recording and saving of data.14
4.5.2 Power source.14
4.5.3 Dedicated reserve power source .14
4.5.4 Recording period and duration .14
4.6 Data items to be recorded.15
4.6.1 Date and time .15
4.6.2 Ship’s position .15
4.6.3 Speed.15
4.6.4 Heading.15
4.6.5 Bridge audio .15
4.6.6 Communications audio.16
4.6.7 Radar data – post-display selection.16
4.6.8 Echo sounder .16
4.6.9 Main alarms.16
4.6.10 Rudder order and response.16
4.6.11 Engine order and response .16
4.6.12 Hull openings (doors) status.16
4.6.13 Watertight and fire door status .17
4.6.14 Accelerations and hull stresses .17
4.6.15 Wind speed and direction.17
5 Technical characteristics.17
5.1 Co-relation in date and time .17
5.2 Particular design requirements for the protective capsule.17
5.3 Location beacon(s) for the protective capsule .17
5.4 Survivability of recorded data.18
61996-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 3 –
5.4.1 Long-term retention under normal conditions.18
5.4.2 Survival following an incident .18
5.5 Information to be included in the manufacturer’s documentation.18
5.5.1 Installation guidelines .18
5.5.2 Operation and maintenance manual .19
5.5.3 Information for use by an investigation authority .19
5.6 Bridge audio specifications .19
5.6.1 Input interface.19
5.6.2 Reference signal.19
5.6.3 Audio frequency response.19
5.6.4 Quality index.20
5.6.5 Audio noise level – signal to noise and distortion.20
5.7 Communications audio .20
5.7.1 Input interfaces.20
5.7.2 Reference signal.20
5.7.3 Audio frequency response.20
5.7.4 Quality index.20
5.7.5 Audio noise level – signal to no signal .21
5.7.6 Audio noise level – signal to noise and distortion (SINAD) .21
5.8 Radar data – post-display selection.21
5.8.1 Input interface.21
5.8.2 Image outputs.21
6 Methods of testing and required test results .22
6.1 General .22
6.1.1 Test setup .22
6.1.2 Download and playback equipment .23
6.1.3 Sequence of tests .23
6.1.4 Requirements to be checked by inspection only.23
6.1.5 Environmental test conditions for normal operation.23
6.1.6 Recording duration.24
6.1.7 Reserve power source .24
6.1.8 Recharging of reserve source of power .24
6.1.9 Brief interruption of electrical power .24
6.1.10 System integrity .25
6.1.11 Maintenance of sequential records .25
6.1.12 Co-relation in date and time .25
6.1.13 Design and construction of the protective capsule .25
6.1.14 Selection of data items.28
6.1.15 Power source.28
6.2 Data items to be recorded.28
6.2.1 Date/time – ship’s position – speed – heading .28
6.2.2 Bridge audio .28
6.2.3 Communications audio.32
6.2.4 Radar data, post-display selection.35
6.2.5 Echo sounder – main alarms – rudder order and response – engine order
and response – hull openings (doors) status – watertight and doors status
– acceleration and hull stresses – wind speed and direction .43
6.2.6 Interfaces .44
– 4 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
Annex A (normative) IEC 61162 sentence formats .45
Annex B (informative) Mandatory alarms .46
Annex C (normative) Download and playback equipment for investigating authorities .48
Annex D (informative) Requirement/test – cross references.52
Bibliography .54
Figure 1 – Test set-up block diagram.37
Figure 2 – Comparison of images .41
Table 1 – Bridge audio, signal to no signal measurements .31
Table 2 – Bridge audio, signal to noise and distortion (SINAD) measurements .32
Table 3 – Communications audio, signal to no-signal measurements .34
Table 4 – Communications audio, signal to noise and distortion (SINAD) measurements .35
Table 5 – Intersection colours of test images 1 and 2 .39
Table A.1 – References in this standard .45
Table B.1 – IMO instrument: SOLAS Chapter II-1 .46
Table B.2 – IMO instrument: SOLAS Chapter II-2 .47
Table B.3 – IMO instrument: Resolution A.481.47
Table D.1 – Subject list and subclauses .52
61996-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MARITIME NAVIGATION AND RADIOCOMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS –
SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDER (VDR) –
Part 1: Voyage data recorder (VDR) –
Performance requirements, methods of testing
and required test results
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising all
national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international co-
operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and in
addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may participate in
this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also
participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all interested
IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between any
IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any equipment
declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or other
damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and expenses arising
out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61996-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 80: Maritime
navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems.
This first edition cancels and replaces IEC 61996 published in 2000 and constitutes a technical
revision. A new requirement has been added to 4.3.5 for an interface to be used for downloading
the stored data to an external computer. This is defined in Annex C which is derived from
amendments published by the IMO in resolution MSC.214(81). An optional LAN interface for
connection to radar has been added in 5.8. Some corrections to the text have also been made.
Subclause 4.3.5 (Assessment of final recording medium) has been renumbered as 4.3.4.2 and
subclause 4.3.6 (Interfaces) has been renumbered as 4.3.5.
– 6 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
80/470/CDV 80/499/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on voting
indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of the IEC 61996 series, under the general title Maritime navigation and
radiocommunication equipment and systems – Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR), can be
found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.
61996-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 7 –
MARITIME NAVIGATION AND RADIOCOMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS –
SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDER (VDR) –
Part 1: Voyage data recorder (VDR) –
Performance requirements, methods of testing
and required test results
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61996 specifies the minimum performance requirements, technical characteristics
and methods of testing, and required test results, for shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR)
installations as required by Chapter V of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS), as amended. It takes account of IMO resolution A.694(17) and is associated with
IEC 60945. When a requirement in this standard is different from IEC 60945, the requirement in this
standard takes precedence.
This standard incorporates the applicable parts of the performance standards included in IMO
Resolutions A.861(20) and MSC.214(81) Annex 1.
NOTE All text of this standard, whose wording is identical to that of IMO Resolution A.861, is printed in italics, and the
Resolution and associated performance standard paragraph numbers are indicated in brackets.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-2-27:1987, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Ea and guidance: Shock
IEC 60268-16:2003, Sound system equipment – Part 16: Objective rating of speech intelligibility
by speech transmission index
IEC 60945:2002, Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – General
requirements – Methods of testing and required test results
IEC 61097-2, Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) – Part 2: COSPAS SARSAT
EPIRB – Satellite emergency position indicating radio beacon operating on 406 MHz – Operational
and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results
IEC 61097-7:1996, Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) – Part 7: Shipborne VHF
radiotelephone transmitter and receiver – Operational and performance requirements, methods of
testing and required test results
IEC 61162-1, Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Digital
interfaces – Part 1: Single talker and multiple listeners
IEC 61162-2, Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Digital
interfaces – Part 2: Single talker and multiple listeners, high-speed transmission
IEC 61260:1995, Electroacoustics – Octave-band and fractional-octave-band filters
– 8 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
IEC 61672-1:2002, Electroacoustics – Sound level meters – Part 1: Specifications
IMO A.658(16): Use and fitting of retro-reflective materials on life-saving appliances
IMO A.662(16): Performance standards for float-free release and activation arrangements for
emergency radio equipment
IMO A.694(17): General requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Global
maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids
IMO A.810(19): Performance standards for float-free satellite emergency position-indicating radio
beacons (EPIRBs) operating on 406 MHz
IMO A.830(19): Code on alarms and indicators
IMO A.861(20): Performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs)IMO
A.689:1991, Testing of life saving appliances
IMO MSC.214(81): Annex 1: Amendments to the recommendation on performance standards for
shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs) (Resolution A.861(20))
IMO:1974, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended
ITU-R M.633-1:1990, Transmission characteristics of a satellite emergency position-indicating
radiobeacon (satellite EPIRB) system operating through a low polar-orbiting satellite system in the
406 MHz band
Eurocae: ED56A Amendment 1 – Minimum operational performance specification (MOPS) for
cockpit voice recorder system
VESA:1996, Video electronics standards association – Discrete monitor timings standard 1.0,
Revision 0.7 (DMTS)
SAE AS8045:1988, Engineering Society for advancing mobility land sea air and space – Minimum
performance standard for underwater locating devices – acoustic-self-powered
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1
activation of a suitable alarm
mutable audible alarm and persistent visual indication, given according to the requirements of
A.830, but with an audible level in the range of 55 dBA – 65 dBA
3.1.2
bridge work station
position at which a person is expected to be when performing one of the normal bridge duties at, for
example, the following work stations:
• centre line conning
• bridge wing(s)
• main radar
• chart table
• helmsman
• communication
61996-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 9 –
3.1.3
data
any item of information received by the VDR for recording, including numerical values, text and
audio or radar signals, except where specifically stated or the context dictates otherwise
3.1.4
dedicated reserve power source (A.861/4.5)
secondary battery, with suitable automatic charging arrangements, dedicated solely to the VDR, of
sufficient capacity to operate it as required by 4.5.3
3.1.5
final recording medium (A.861/4.3)
(FRM)
item of hardware on which the data is recorded such that access to it would enable the data to be
recovered and played back by use of suitable equipment
3.1.6
playback equipment (A.861/4.4)
equipment, compatible with the recording medium and the format used during recording, employed
for recovering the data. It includes also the display or presentation hardware and software that is
appropriate to the original data source equipment. Playback equipment is not normally installed on
a ship and is not regarded as part of a VDR within this standard
3.1.7
recorder (A.861/4.1)
(VDR)
complete system, including any items required to interface with the sources of input data, for
processing and encoding the data, the final recording medium in its capsule, the power supply and
dedicated reserve power source
3.1.8
resolution
smallest detectable increment between two values
3.1.9
sensor (A.861/4.2)
any unit external to the VDR to which the VDR is connected and from which it obtains data to be
recorded
3.2 Abbreviations
ALR IEC 61162 sentence: Set alarm state
DPT IEC 61162 sentence: Depth relative to the transducer
DTM IEC 61162 sentence: Geodetic datum reference
EPFS Electronic position-fixing system
EUT Equipment under test
GMDSS Global maritime distress and safety system
GNS IEC 61162 sentence: GNSS fix data
GNSS Global navigation satellite system
HTC IEC 61162 sentence: Heading/track control command
HTD IEC 61162 sentence: Heading/track control data
HDG IEC 61162 sentence: Magnetic compass heading
HDT IEC 61162 sentence: True heading
IMO International Maritime Organization
– 10 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
INS Integrated navigation system
ITU International Telecommunication Union
MWV IEC 61162 sentence: Wind speed and angle
OOW Officer of the Watch
ROV Remotely operated vehicle
RPM IEC 61162 sentence: Revolutions per minute
RSA IEC 61162 sentence: Rudder sense angle
SAR Search and rescue
SENC System electronic navigation chart
SINAD Signal to noise and distortion
STI Sound transmission index
TXT IEC 61162 sentence: Text message
UTC Coordinated universal time
VHF Very high frequency
VBW IEC 61162 sentence: Dual ground water speed
XDR IEC 61162 sentence: Transducer measurements
ZDA IEC 61162 sentence: Time and date
NOTE For IEC 61162 sentences, see Annex A.
4 Performance requirements
4.1 General
Performance requirements described in this Clause are specified by reference to the numbered
paragraphs of IMO Resolution A.861.
4.2 Purpose
(A.861/1)
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
vessel over the period leading up to, and following, an incident having an impact thereon.
Information contained in a VDR shall be made available to both the Administration and the
shipowner. This information is for use during any subsequent investigation to identify the cause(s)
of the incident.
4.3 Operational requirements
(A.861/5)
4.3.1 Design and construction
(A.861/5.1.4)
The design and construction, which shall be in accordance with the requirements of resolution
A.694(17) and international standards acceptable to the International Maritime Organization (IMO),
shall take special account of the requirements for data security and continuity of operation as
detailed in 4.4 and 4.5.
61996-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 11 –
4.3.2 Maintenance of sequential records
(A.861/5.1.1)
The VDR shall continuously maintain sequential records of pre-selected data items relating to the
status and output of the ship's equipment, and command and control of the ship, referred to in 4.6.
4.3.3 Co-relation in date and time
(A.861/5.1.2, 5.4.1)
To permit subsequent analysis of factors surrounding an incident, the method of recording shall
ensure that the various data items can be co-related in date and time during playback on suitable
equipment.
The recording method shall be such that the timing of all recorded data items can be derived on
playback with a resolution sufficient to reconstruct the history of an incident in detail (see 4.6.1).
4.3.4 Protective capsule
(A.861/5.1.3)
4.3.4.1 Type of protective capsule
The final recording medium shall be installed in a protective capsule. The capsule may be designed
to remain fixed to the ship in all circumstances. Alternatively, it may be designed to float free
automatically if the ship sinks (see 5.2).
4.3.4.2 Assessment of final recording medium
NOTE This subclause was numbered 4.3.5 in IEC 61996.
Where the storage medium cannot be readily and reliably inspected after an incident, means shall
be provided to enable an accident investigator to determine, prior to an attempted replay, whether
the storage medium has been subjected to an excessive level of heat, where the survival of the
stored data may be in doubt.
4.3.4.3 Access to capsule
(A.861/5.1.3.1)
The capsule shall be capable of being accessed following an incident but secure against tampering
The capsule shall enclose the final recording medium. The final recording medium shall not be
accessible by standard operating procedures during normal ship operations.
A means shall be provided to retrieve stored information via an external device without opening the
protective capsule.
4.3.4.4 Recovery
(A.861/5.1.3.2)
The capsule shall maximise the probability of survival and recovery of the final recorded data after
any incident (see 5.2).
4.3.4.5 Structure of the capsule
The capsule containing the final recording medium shall be designed to be installed on the external
deck of the vessel. It may be designed to remain fixed to the ship in all circumstances.
Alternatively, it may be designed to float free automatically if the ship sinks (see 5.2).
– 12 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
The capsule shall be designed to protect the stored data against the following (see 5.2):
• shock;
• penetration;
• fire;
• deep-sea pressure and immersion.
4.3.4.6 Visibility and marking
(A.861/5.1.3.3)
The capsule, together with any outermost shell, shall be of a highly visible fluorescent orange
colour, marked with retro-reflective materials that comply with the relevant requirements of IMO
A.658 and marked with the legend:
“VOYAGE DATA RECORDER – DO NOT OPEN –
REPORT TO AUTHORITIES”
4.3.4.7 Location
(A.861/5.1.3.4)
The capsule shall be fitted with an appropriate device to aid location.
Both fixed and float free designs shall include an acoustic underwater beacon. In the case of a
protective capsule intended for float-free operation, it shall also have a suitable radio transmitter,
and a light (see 5.2).
4.3.5 Interfaces
(A.861/7)
NOTE This subclause was numbered 4.3.6 in the first edition.
4.3.5.1 Compliance with IEC 61162
Interfacing to the various sensors required shall be in accordance with the relevant international
interface standard, IEC 61162 series, where possible (see Annex A).
The interfaces for bridge audio, communications audio and radar are defined in 5.6.1, 5.7.1 and
5.8.1 respectively.
Any interface units which may be required to convert non-IEC 61162 signals, shall conform to the
requirements of IEC 60945.
In all cases, any connection to any item of the ship's equipment shall be such that the operation of
that equipment suffers no deterioration, even if the VDR system develops faults.
NOTE No loss of steering or propulsion is allowed.
4.3.5.2 Data interface
The VDR shall provide an interface for downloading the stored data to an external computer (see
Annex C).
4.4 Data selection and security
(A.861/5.1.4)
61996-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 13 –
4.4.1 Selection of data items
(A.861/5.2.1)
The minimum selections of operational data items to be recorded by the VDR are specified in 4.6.
Optionally, additional items may be recorded provided that the requirements for the recording and
storage of the specified selections are not compromised.
4.4.2 Configuration data
In addition to the operational data referred to in 4.4.1, a data block defining the configuration of the
VDR and the sensors to which it is connected shall be written into the final recording medium during
commissioning of the VDR. This configuration data shall be permanently retained in the final
recording medium and protected from modification other than by a duly authorised person following
any change to the configuration. Any change to the configuration of this data block shall not affect
the recording of the mandatory items.
The following system configuration information and data source identity shall be included in this
data block:
a) type approval authority and reference;
b) IMO vessel identification number;
c) software version(s) used;
d) automatic insertion of date and time of last amendment;
e) microphone locations, recording port allocation, and ID (two character identification for example
M1, M2, etc.);
NOTE This does not imply that microphone audio channels shall be separated.
f) VHF communications – Location of connected VHF installation(s) and recording port allocation,
and ID (two character identification, for example V1, V2, etc.);
g) Radar – which display output(s) are connected (at which channel), and ID (two character
identification, for example R1, R2, Rx, etc.);
h) date and time – from which source obtained;
i) ship’s position – from which EPFS and relative position of this EPFS on the vessel;
j) other data inputs, at the minimum for all data required by IMO A.861(20) 5.4:
i. identification of which equipment is supplying the data;
ii. identification of the sentence (IEC 61162) which is carrying the information (see Annex A for
approved sentences);
iii. if received as proprietary sentences according to IEC 61162 (for example containing
converted analogue or discrete signals), information to include the location of the
information within the sentence and the specification of the relations between sensor values
(RPM, rudder angles, state of alarm or indicator, etc.) and received values.
4.4.3 Resistance to tampering
(A.861/5.2.2)
The equipment shall be so designed that, as far as is practical, it is not possible to tamper with the
selection of data being input to the equipment, the data itself nor that which has already been
recorded. Any attempt to interfere with the integrity of the data or the recording shall be recorded.
4.4.4 Recording integrity
(A.861/5.2.3)
The recording method shall be such that each item of the recorded data is checked for integrity, i.e.
it is identical to the data being received, and an alarm given if a non-correctable error is detected
according to IMO A.830(19) but with an audible level in the range of 55 dBA - 65 dBA.
– 14 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
The VDR shall automatically continuously monitor the following (see 6.1.10):
a) power supply;
b) record function;
c) bit error rate;
d) microphone functionality.
Malfunction of any of the above shall generate an alarm in accordance with the relevant
requirements of IMO A.830(19) at the position from which the vessel is normally navigated. It shall
be possible to mute the alarm but a visual indication shall remain until the equipment is serviceable.
It shall also indicate its alarm status by means of contacts of a relay (or equivalent) which is held
energized in the no-alarm condition.
4.5 Operation
4.5.1 Recording and saving of data
(A.861/6)
The unit shall be entirely automatic in normal operation. Means shall be provided to ensure that the
recorded data may be saved by an appropriate method following an incident, with minimal
interruption to the recording process and without requiring opening of the protective capsule.
a) Controls for use during the saving process shall be simple to use.
b) The recording process to the final recording medium shall not be interrupted for more than
10 min during the saving process. The data recorded in the final recording medium shall not be
erased.
c) The data saved shall be automatically checked to ensure that it is identical to the recorded data
on the final recording medium. Any failure shall be indicated.
d) When the saving process is completed, means shall be provided to enable the transfer of this
data set to another storage device in order to allow data relating to subsequent incidents to be
saved.
NOTE “saving process” means – preserving a copy of the data contained in the final recording medium. A saved data
set shall be protected against unauthorized or inadvertent overwriting.
4.5.2 Power source
(A.861/5.3.1)
To ensure that the VDR continues to record events during an incident, it shall be capable of
operating from the ship's emergency source of electrical power. Whenever electrical power is
available the VDR shall operate, except as permitted in 4.5.4 (see 6.1.15).
4.5.3 Dedicated reserve power source
(A.861/5.3.2)
If the ship's emergency source of electrical power supply fails, the VDR shall continue to record
bridge audio (see 4.6.5) from a dedicated reserve source of power for a period of 2 h. At the end of
this 2 h period all recording shall cease automatically.
4.5.4 Recording period and duration
(A.861/5.3.3)
Recording shall be continuous unless interrupted briefly in accordance with 4.5.1 or terminated in
accordance with 4.5.3. The time for which all stored data items are retained shall be at least 12 h.
Data items which are older than this may be overwritten with new data.
Recording may also be terminated, by means of a key or other secure method.
61996-1 © IEC:2007(E) – 15 –
NOTE This may occur under the following circumstances:
a) during essential maintenance purposes whilst the vessel is in port;
b) when the vessel is laid-up;
c) upon request by an investigation authority, for example after the vessel had been involved in a marine incident.
4.6 Data items to be recorded
(A.861/5.4)
4.6.1 Date and time
(A.861/5.4.1)
Date and time referenced to UTC, shall be obtained from a source external to the ship (for
example, an EPFS or radio time signal) if available, or from an internal clock at least once per hour.
The recording shall indicate which source is in use. The recording method shall be such that the
timing of all other recorded data items can be derived on playback with a resolution sufficient to
reconstruct the history of the incident in detail, not worse than 1 s.
4.6.2 Ship’s position
(A.861/5.4.2)
Latitude and longitude, and the datum used, shall be derived from a designated EPFS or INS if
available. The recording shall ensure that the identity and status of the source can always be
determined on playback. The ship’s position shall be recorded, as available on the ship, up to a
resolution of 0,000 1 min of arc.
4.6.3 Speed
(A.861/5.4.3)
Speed through the water, or speed over the ground (transverse as well as longitudinal in either
case, as available on the ship), including an indication from which it is derived, from the ship’s
designated speed and distance measuring equipment, shall be recorded, as available on the ship,
up to a resolution of 0,1 knots.
4.6.4 Heading
(A.861/5.4.4)
As indicated by a designated ship's compass. The ship’s heading shall be recorded, as available on
the ship, up to a resolution of 0,1°.
4.6.5 Bridge audio
(A.861/5.4.5)
One or more microphones positioned on the bridge shall be placed, such that conversation at or
near the conning stations, radar displays, chart tables etc., (i.e. at work stations as defined in 3.1.9)
may be adequately recorded. As far as is practicable, the positioning of microphones shall also
capture the input and output of intercom, public address systems and the audible alarms on the
bridge (bridge mounted equipment) (see 5.6 for technical characteristics).
The audio signals at all work stations shall be recorded continuously. Optionally, means may be
provided so that the originating work station can be identified with the audio signal being analysed
during playback of the recorded information.
– 16 – 61996-1 © IEC:2007(E)
4.6.6 Communications audio
(A.861/5.4.6)
VHF communications relating to ship operations shall be recorded, independently of the bridge
audio. The recording shall include both transmitted and received audio signals and shall be
continuous from a directly connected fixed VHF set to be designated at installation (see 5.7 for
technical characteristics).
4.6.7 Radar data – post-display selection
(A.861/5.4.7)
This shall include electronic signal information from within one of the ship's radar installations which
records all the information which was actually being presented on the master display of that radar at
the time of recording. This shall include any range rings or markers, bearing markers, electronic
plotting symbols, radar maps, whatever parts of the SENC or other electronic chart or map that
were selected, the voyage plan, navigational data, navigational alarms and the radar status data
that were visible on the display. The recording method shall 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 (see 5.8).
4.6.8 Echo sounder
(A.861/5.4.8)
This shall include depth under keel, up to a resolution of 0,1 m as available on the ship. The depth
scale currently being displayed and other status information shall be recorded where available.
4.6.9 Main alarms
(A.861/5.4.9)
This shall include the status of all IMO mandatory alarms on the bridge. (see annex B).
The status of all IMO mandatory alarms shall be recorded by the bridge audio and as a data
parameter where practicable.
4.6.10 Rudder order and response
(A.861/5.4.10)
Both rudder order and response angles shall be
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...