EN 61996-1:2008

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2008
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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 (IEC 61996-1:2007)
Navigations- und Funkkommunikationsgeräte und -systeme für die Seeschifffahrt -
Fahrtdatenaufzeichnungsgeräte (VDR) auf Seeschiffen - Teil 1:
Fahrtdatenaufzeichnungsgerät (VDR) - Leistungsanforderungen, Prüfverfahren und
geforderte Prüfergebnisse (IEC 61996-1:2007)
Matériels et systèmes de navigation et de radiocommunication maritimes - Enregistreurs
des données du voyage (VDR) de bord - Partie 1: Enregistreur des données du voyage
(VDR) - Exigences de fonctionnement, méthodes d'essai et résultats d'essai exigés (CEI
61996-1:2007)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61996-1:2008
ICS:
47.020.70 Navigacijska in krmilna Navigation and control
oprema equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 61996-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2008
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 47.020.70 Supersedes EN 61996:2000

English version
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
(IEC 61996-1:2007)
Matériels et systèmes de navigation  Navigations-
et de radiocommunication maritimes - und Funkkommunikationsgeräte
Enregistreurs des données du voyage und -systeme für die Seeschifffahrt -
(VDR) de bord - Fahrtdatenaufzeichnungsgeräte (VDR)
Partie 1: Enregistreur des données auf Seeschiffen -
du voyage (VDR) - Teil 1: Fahrtdatenaufzeichnungsgerät
Exigences de fonctionnement, méthodes (VDR) -
d'essai et résultats d'essai exigés Leistungsanforderungen, Prüfverfahren
(CEI 61996-1:2007) und geforderte Prüfergebnisse
(IEC 61996-1:2007)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2008-06-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in two official versions (English, German). A version in any other language made
by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the Central
Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2008 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 61996-1:2008 E
Foreword
The text of document 80/470/CDV, future edition 1 of IEC 61996-1, prepared by TC 80, Maritime
navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC
Parallel Unique Acceptance Procedure and was approved by CENELEC as EN 61996-1 on 2008-06-01.
This European Standard supersedes EN 61996:2000.
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.
The following dates were fixed:

– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented

at national level by publication of an identical
(dop) 2009-03-01
national standard or by endorsement

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
(dow) 2011-06-01
with the EN have to be withdrawn
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61996-1:2007 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:
IEC 60936-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60936-1:2000 (not modified).
IEC 60936-3 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60936-3:2002 (not modified).
IEC 62388 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 62388:2008 (not modified).
ISO 8728 NOTE  Harmonized as EN ISO 8728:1998 (not modified).
ISO 11674 NOTE  Harmonized as EN ISO 11674:2001 (not modified).
__________
- 3 - EN 61996-1:2008
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

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.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60068-2-27 1987 Basic environmental testing procedures - EN 60068-2-27 1993
Part 2: Tests - Test Ea and guidance: Shock

IEC 60268-16 2003 Sound system equipment - EN 60268-16 2003
Part 16: Objective rating of speech
intelligibility by speech transmission index

IEC 60945 2002 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication EN 60945 2002
equipment and systems - General
requirements - Methods of testing and
required test results
1)
IEC 61097-2 - Global maritime distress and safety system - -
(GMDSS) -
Part 2: COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB - Satellite
emergency position indicating 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
1) 2)
IEC 61162-1 - Maritime navigation and radiocommunication EN 61162-1 2008
equipment and systems - Digital interfaces -
Part 1: Single talker and multiple listeners

1) 2)
IEC 61162-2 - Maritime navigation and radiocommunication EN 61162-2 1998
equipment and systems - Digital interfaces -
Part 2: Single talker and multiple listeners,
high-speed transmission
IEC 61260 1995 Electroacoustics - Octave-band and EN 61260 1995
fractional-octave-band filters

IEC 61672-1 2002 Electroacoustics - Sound level meters - EN 61672-1 2003
Part 1: Specifications
1)
IMO Resolution - Use and fitting of retro-reflective materials on - -
A.658(16) life-saving appliances

1)
IMO Resolution - Performance standards for float-free release - -
A.662(16) and activation arrangements for emergency
radio equipment
1)
Undated reference.
2)
Valid edition at date of issue.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IMO Resolution 1991 Testing of life saving appliances - -
A.689
1)
IMO Resolution - General requirements for shipborne radio - -
A.694(17) equipment forming part of the global maritime
distress and safety system (GMDSS) and for
electronic navigational aids
1)
IMO Resolution - Performance standards for float-free satellite - -
A.810(19) emergency position-indicating radio beacons
(EPIRBs) operating on 406 MHz
1)
IMO Resolution - Code on alarms and indicators - -
A.830(19)
1)
IMO Resolution - Performance standards for shipborne - -
A.861(20) voyage data recorders (VDRs)

1)
IMO Resolution - Amendments to the recommendation on - -
MSC 214(81) performance standards for shipborne voyage
Annex 1 data recorders (VBDRs) (Resolution
A.861(20))
IMO 1974 International convention for the Safety of Life - -
at Sea (SOLAS)
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
1)
Eurocae: ED56A - Minimum operational performance - -
Amendment 1 specification (MOPS) for cockpit voice
recorder system
VESA 1996 Video electronics standards association - - -
Discrete monitor timings standard 1.0,
Revision 0.7 (DMTS)
SAE AS 8045 1988 Engeneering Society for advancing mobility - -
land sea air and space - Minimum
performance standard for underwater locating
devices - acoustic-self-powered

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 .

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
4.6.1).
playback with a resolution sufficient to reconstruct the history of an incident in detail (see
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
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