MSC.214(81) Adoption of Amendments to the Performance Standards for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorders (VDRS) and Performance Standards for Shipborne Simplified Voyage Data Recorders (S-VDRS)

Resolution MSC.214(81)

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS (VDRS) (RESOLUTION A.861(20)) AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SHIPBORNE SIMPLIFIED VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS (S-VDRS) (RESOLUTION MSC.163(78))

(adopted on 12 May 2006)

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of Committee,

RECALLING ALSO resolution A.886(21), by which the Assembly resolved that the functions of adopting performance standards for radio and navigational equipment, as well as amendments thereto, shall be performed by the Maritime Safety Committee on behalf of the Organization,

HAVING CONSIDERED resolution A.861(20) on Performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs) and resolution MSC.163(78) on Performance standards for shipborne simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs) and reviewed requirements for extracting stored data from VDRs and S-VDRs,

RECOGNIZING that, after an accident, there is a need for the investigators to be able to download the stored data and playback the information from VDRs/S-VDRs without delay,

HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation at its fifty-first session,

1. ADOPTS the amendments to the Recommendations on performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs) and the Recommendation on performance standards for simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs), set out in Annexes 1 and 2, respectively, to the present resolution;

2. RECOMMENDS Governments to ensure that VDRs and S-VDRs:

(a) if fitted before 1 June 2008, conform to performance standards not inferior to those specified in the Annexes to resolutions A.861(20) and MSC.163(78), respectively; and

(b) if fitted on or after 1 June 2008, conform additionally to the amendments to performance standards not inferior to those specified in Annexes 1 and 2 to the present resolution.

Annex 1.

AMENDMENTS TO THE RECOMMENDATION ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS (VDRs) (RESOLUTION A.861(20))

Annex to resolution A.861(20)

A new section 8 is added, as follows:

"8. DOWNLOAD AND PLAYBACK EQUIPMENT FOR INVESTIGATION AUTHORITIES

8.1 Data output interface

The VDR should provide an interface for downloading the stored data and playback the information to an external computer. The interface should be compatible with an internationally recognized format, such as Ethernet, USB, FireWire, or equivalent.

8.2 Software for data downloading and playback

8.2.1 A copy of the software programme providing the capability to download the stored data and playback the information onto a connected external laptop computer and for the playback of the data should be provided for each VDR installation.

8.2.2 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.

8.2.3 Instructions for executing the software and for connecting the external laptop computer to the VDR should be provided.

8.2.4 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.

8.2.5 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."

Annex 2.

AMENDMENTS TO THE RECOMMENDATION ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SHIPBORNE SIMPLIFIED VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS (S-VDRs) (RESOLUTION MSC.163(78))

Annex to resolution MSC.163(78)

A new section 8 is added, as follows:

"8. DOWNLOAD AND PLAYBACK EQUIPMENT FOR INVESTIGATION AUTHORITIES

8.1 Data output interface

The S-VDR should provide an interface for downloading the stored data and playback the information to an external computer. The interface should be compatible with an internationally recognized format, such as Ethernet, USB, FireWire, or equivalent.

8.2 Software for data downloading and playback

8.2.3 Instructions for executing the software and for connecting the external laptop computer to the S-VDR should be provided.