LR Statutory Alert
Lloyd’s Register has issued Statutory Alert regarding the revisions to the Performance Standards for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) that will be implemented from 1 July, 2014. The performance standards were originally adopted by IMO Resolution A.861 (20), amended by MSC 214(81), and revised through Resolution MSC 333 (90).
The changes to the standards have been made to incorporate new technology and lessons learned from past casualty analysis.
The main changes are as follows:
Further details may be found atIMO Resolution MSC 333 (90) |
How the standards apply and the interpretation of “installation”
The revised performance standards apply to all passenger ships and all other ships of 3,000 gt and above installing VDRs on or after 1 July, 2014. The IACS Unified Interpretation of the term “installation” (refer to IACS UI SC261) was not fully agreed to by the IMO’s NAV 59 meeting, held in September 2013, and instructions from the ship’s flag administration are to be followed.
It should be noted that the requirements for simplified VDRs (S-VDRs) remain unchanged.
Owners and technical managers are advised to ensure that VDRs installed from 1 July, 2014, meet the revised performance standards, as per flag interpretations.
Source: Loyds Register
Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) |
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. |