MSC 90/28/Add.1
Annex 21, page 3
I:\MSC\90\28-Add-1.doc
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 Organization
1
, should
take special account of the requirements for data security and continuity of operation as
detailed in 5.3 and 5.4.
1
Refer to publication IEC 60945 – Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems –
General requirements, methods of testing and required test results.
RESOLUTION MSC.333(90)
(adopted on 22 May 2012)
ADOPTION OF REVISED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR
SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS (VDRs)