VDR is the equivalent of a black box on an airplane. It records all the details of a maritime accident, including the time, date, location, speed, and the course of the vessel. The data recorded can be used to determine potential safety hazards and improve operational procedures.

According to IMO regulations, the standard VDR must contain a range of data. These include: date, time, and Coordinated Universal Time, vessel location (latitude and longitude, coordinate reference) as well as velocity and heading, audio messages from the bridge (voice messages recorded using one or more microphones on the bridge to record recording conversations and alerts that sound), Very High-Frequency Radio Communications (VHF), and radar information (a faithful representation of the display on view at the moment of recording) as well as rudder and engine position, watertight door status, and accelerations.

The system consists of a concentrator that processes and encodes data streams, sensors which input data to the concentrator and a final recording media (FRM) that can survive accidents and allow recovery of voyage information. The FRM can be a fixed unit mounted on the vessel or a floating retrievable device that is connected to an EPIRB in order to locate the vessel quickly in the event of a catastrophe.

The most effective method to ensure the integrity of the vdr system is to make its use an integral element of bridge crew training and drills. The saved data can be used to identify areas in which training is required and to enhance bridge procedures and operational safety.

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