EN 61996-2:2008

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2008
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 61996-2:2007
Pomorska navigacijska in radiokomunikacijska oprema in sistemi - Ladijski
zapisovalnik podatkov o plovbi (VDR) - 2. del: Poenostavljeni zapisovalnik
podatkov o plovbi (S-VDR) - Zahteve za lastnosti, preskusne metode in zahtevani
rezultat preskušanja (IEC 61996-2:2007)
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems - Shipborne
voyage data recorder (VDR) -- Part 2: Simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) -
Performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results (IEC 61996-
2:2007)
Navigations- und Funkkommunikationsgeräte und -systeme für die Seeschifffahrt -
Fahrtdatenaufzeichnungsgeräte (VDR) auf Seeschiffen -- Teil 2: Vereinfachtes
Fahrtdatenaufzeichnungsgerät (S-VDR) - Leistungsanforderungen, Prüfverfahren und
geforderte Prüfergebnisse (IEC 61996-2:2007)
Matériels et systèmes de navigation et de radiocommunication maritimes - Enregistreurs
des données du voyage (VDR) de bord -- Partie 2: Enregistreur des données du voyage
simplifié (S-VDR) - Exigences de fonctionnement, méthodes d'essai et résultats d'essai
exigés (CEI 61996-2:2007)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61996-2:2008
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 61996-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2008
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 47.020.70 Supersedes EN 61996-2:2006

English version
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems -
Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR) -
Part 2: Simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) -
Performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results
(IEC 61996-2:2007)
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 2: Enregistreur des données auf Seeschiffen -
du voyage simplifié (S-VDR) - Teil 2: Vereinfachtes
Exigences de fonctionnement, méthodes Fahrtdatenaufzeichnungsgerät (S-VDR) -
d'essai et résultats d'essai exigés Leistungsanforderungen, Prüfverfahren
(CEI 61996-2:2007) und geforderte Prüfergebnisse
(IEC 61996-2:2007)
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 61996-2:2008 E
Foreword
The text of document 80/471/CDV, future edition 2 of IEC 61996-2, 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 61996-2 on 2008-06-01.
This European Standard supersedes EN 61996-2:2006.
A new requirement has been added to 4.3.6 for an interface to be used for downloading the stored data to
an external computer. This is defined in Annex C which replaces the Annex C of EN 61996-2:2006 which
contained an IMO Circular which recommended such an interface. An optional LAN interface for
connection to radar has been added in 5.8. Some corrections to the text have also been made.
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 61996-2:2007 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 61996-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61996-1:2008 (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 61996-2:2008
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

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 - Testing of life saving appliances - -
MSC 81(70)
1)
IMO Resolution - Performance standards for shipborne - -
MSC 163(78) simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDR)

1)
IMO Resolution - Amendments to the recommendation on - -
MSC 214(81) performance standards for shipborne voyage
Annex 2 data recorders (VBDRs) (Resolution
A.861(20))
IMO 1974 International convention for the Safety of Life - -
at Sea (SOLAS)
ITU-R M.633-3 2004 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 61996-2
Edition 2.0 2007-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems –
Shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR) –
Part 2: Simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) – Performance requirements,
methods of testing and required test results

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
XA
ICS 47.020.70 ISBN 2-8318-9356-9

– 2 – 61996-2 © IEC:2007(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.5
INTRODUCTION.7

1 Scope.8
2 Normative references .8
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations .9
3.1 Definitions .9
3.2 Abbreviations .10
4 Performance requirements .11
4.1 General .11
4.2 Purpose .12
4.3 Operational requirements .12
4.3.1 Design and construction .12
4.3.2 Maintenance of sequential records .12
4.3.3 Co-relation in date and time.12
4.3.4 Protective capsule .12
4.3.5 Assessment of recording medium .13
4.3.6 Interfaces .14
4.4 Data selection and security .14
4.4.1 Selection of data items .14
4.4.2 Configuration data .14
4.4.3 Resistance to tampering .15
4.4.4 Recording integrity .15
4.5 Continuity of operation .15
4.5.1 Operation .15
4.5.2 Power source .16
4.5.3 Dedicated reserve power source.16
4.5.4 Recording period and duration.16
4.6 Data items to be recorded .16
4.6.1 Date and time.16
4.6.2 Ship’s position .17
4.6.3 Speed.17
4.6.4 Heading.17
4.6.5 Bridge audio .17
4.6.6 Communications audio .17
4.6.7 Radar data – post-display selection .17
4.6.8 AIS .18
4.6.9 Other items.18
4.6.10 Echo sounder .18
4.6.11 Main alarms.18
4.6.12 Rudder order and response .18
4.6.13 Engine order and response.18
4.6.14 Hull openings (doors) status .18
4.6.15 Watertight and fire door status.19
4.6.16 Accelerations and hull stresses .19
4.6.17 Wind speed and direction .19

61996-2 © IEC:2007(E) – 3 –
5 Technical characteristics .19
5.1 Co-relation in date and time .19
5.2 Particular design requirements for the protective capsule.19
5.2.1 Fixed protective capsule.19
5.3 Location beacon(s) for the protective capsule.20
5.3.1 Device for the location of the fixed capsule.20
5.3.2 Device(s) for the location of the float-free capsule .20
5.4 Survivability of recorded data .21
5.4.1 Long-term retention under normal conditions .21
5.4.2 Survival following an incident .21
5.5 Information to be included in the manufacturer’s documentation.22
5.5.1 Installation guidelines .22
5.5.2 Operation and maintenance manual .22
5.5.3 Information for use by an investigation authority.22
5.6 Bridge audio specifications.23
5.6.1 Input interface .23
5.6.2 Reference signal .23
5.6.3 Audio frequency response .23
5.6.4 Quality index .23
5.6.5 Audio noise level – signal to noise and distortion.23
5.7 Communications audio .24
5.7.1 Input interfaces.24
5.7.2 Reference signal .24
5.7.3 Audio frequency response .24
5.7.4 Quality index .24
5.7.5 Audio noise level – signal to no signal .24
5.7.6 Audio noise level – signal to noise and distortion (SINAD).24
5.8 Radar data – post-display selection.24
5.8.1 Input interface .24
5.8.2 Image outputs.25
6 Methods of testing and required test results .25
6.1 General .25
6.1.1 Definitions .25
6.1.2 Playback equipment .26
6.1.3 Sequence of tests.26
6.1.4 Requirements to be checked by inspection only.26
6.1.5 Environmental test conditions for normal operation.27
6.1.6 Recording duration .27
6.1.7 Dedicated reserve power source.28
6.1.8 Recharging of dedicated reserve power source .28
6.1.9 Brief interruption of electrical power .28
6.1.10 System integrity.28
6.1.11 Maintenance of sequential records .29
6.1.12 Co-relation in date and time.29
6.1.13 Design and construction of the protective capsule .29
6.1.14 Selection of data items .32
6.1.15 Power source .32
6.2 Data items to be recorded .32
6.2.1 Date/time, ship’s position, speed and heading .32

– 4 – 61996-2 © IEC:2007(E)
6.2.2 Bridge audio .33
6.2.3 Communications audio .36
6.2.4 Radar data, post-display selection.39
6.2.5 AIS .47
6.2.6 Other items.48
6.2.7 Interfaces .48

Annex A (normative) IEC 61162 sentence formats .49
Annex B (informative) Cross-references between VDR and S-VDR .50
Annex C (normative) Download and playback equipment for investigating authorities .51
Annex D (informative) Mandatory alarms .55
Annex E (informative) Requirement/test – cross-references .57

Bibliography.59

Figure 1 – Test set-up block diagram .41
Figure 2 – Comparison of images .45

Table 1 – Bridge audio, signal to noise measurements .35
Table 2 – Bridge audio, signal to noise and distortion (SINAD) measurements.36
Table 3 – Communications audio, signal to no-signal measurements .38
Table 4 – Communications audio, signal to noise and distortion (SINAD)
measurements .39
Table 5 – Intersection colours of test images 1 and 2.43
Table A.1 – References in this standard .49
Table B.1 – Subject list and subclauses.50
Table D.1 – IMO instrument: SOLAS Chapter II-1 .55
Table D.2 – IMO instrument: SOLAS Chapter II-2 .56
Table D.3 – IMO instrument: Resolution A.481.56
Table E.1 – Subject list and subclauses.57

61996-2 © IEC:2007(E) – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MARITIME NAVIGATION AND RADIOCOMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS –
SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDER (VDR) –

Part 2: Simplified voyage data recorder (S-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 61996-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 80:
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2006, and constitutes a
technical revision. A new requirement has been added to 4.3.6 for an interface to be used for
downloading the stored data to an external computer. This is defined in Annex C which
replaces the Annex C of the first edition which contained an IMO Circular which recommended
such an interface. An optional LAN interface for connection to radar has been added in 5.8.
Some corrections to the text have also been made.

– 6 – 61996-2 © IEC:2007(E)
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
80/471/CDV 80/500/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.

61996-2 © IEC:2007(E) – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
The S-VDR has been introduced by IMO for fitting to existing ships as a simplified alternative
to the voyage data recorder (VDR) which is required for all new ships.
This part of IEC 61996 provides information on the testing requirements for S-VDR as defined
in IMO performance standard MSC.163(78).
The specification for S-VDR differs significantly from that for VDR in two areas:
a) the requirements for monitoring certain sensors are reduced when the data is not
provided in IEC 61162 format, and
b) the requirements for the protective S-VDR capsule are different from the VDR capsule,
both for the fixed and float-free versions.
Annex B provides a cross-reference between this standard and IEC 61996-1 to aid test
houses who may already have test results for VDRs which are being submitted as S-VDRs.
Subsequent to publishing the performance standard for S-VDR, MSC.163(78), in 2004, the
IMO sub-committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV) discussed the issue of download and
playback of information. Recognising that after an accident there is a need for investigators to
be able to download the stored data and playback the information from VDRs/S-VDRs without
delay, the sub-committee agreed on recommended means for extracting stored data for
investigation authorities. This was adopted by MSC.81 in 2005 as an amendment to resolution
MSC.163(78) given in resolution MSC.214(81). This edition of the standard incorporates this
amendment.
– 8 – 61996-2 © IEC:2007(E)
MARITIME NAVIGATION AND RADIOCOMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS –
SHIPBORNE VOYAGE DATA RECORDER (VDR) –

Part 2: Simplified voyage data recorder (S-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 simplified shipborne
voyage data recorders (S-VDRs) as required by IMO MSC.163(78). It takes into account 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.
NOTE All text of this standard, whose wording is identical to that of IMO MSC.163(78) or A.861(20) 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
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

61996-2 © IEC:2007(E) – 9 –
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 MSC.81(70): Testing of life saving appliances
IMO MSC.163(78): Performance standards for shipborne simplified voyage data recorders
(S-VDR)
IMO MSC.214(81): Annex 2: Amendments to the recommendation on performance standards
for shipborne simplified voyage data recorders (VDRs) (Resolution MSC.163(78))
IMO:1974, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended
ITU-R M.633-3:2004, 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 (DMT)
SAE AS 8045:1988, 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
For the purposes of this document, the following terms, definitions and abbreviations apply.
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1
activation of a suitable alarm
mutable audible alarm and persistent visual indication, given according to the requirements of
IMO A.830(19) but with an audible level in the range of 55 dBA to 65 dBA
3.1.2
combined EPIRB/S-VDR capsule
a single unit which meets all the requirements of a satellite EPIRB (as required by the
carriage requirements of SOLAS IV) and all the requirements of a S-VDR (as required by the
carriage requirements of SOLAS V)

– 10 – 61996-2 © IEC:2007(E)
3.1.3
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
• helms
• communication
3.1.4
data
any item of information received by the S-VDR for recording, including numerical values, text
and audio or radar signals, except where specifically stated or the context dictates otherwise
3.1.5
dedicated reserve power source (MSC.163(78) 4.5)
secondary battery, with suitable automatic charging arrangements, dedicated solely to the S-
VDR, of sufficient capacity to operate it as required by 4.5.3
3.1.6
final recording medium (MSC.163(78) 4.3)
(FRM)
any 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
3.1.7
playback equipment (MSC.163(78) 4.4)
any 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
3.1.8
recorder (MSC.163(78) 4.1)
(S-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
3.1.9
resolution
smallest detectable increment between two values
3.1.10
sensor (MSC.163(78) 4.2)
any unit external to the S-VDR to which the S-VDR is connected and from which it obtains
data to be recorded
3.2 Abbreviations
AIS Automatic identification system
ALR IEC 61162 sentence: Set alarm state
DPT IEC 61162 sentence: Depth relative to the transducer
DTM IEC 61162 sentence: Geodetic datum reference

61996-2 © IEC:2007(E) – 11 –
EPFS Electronic position fixing system
EPIRB Emergency position-indicating radio beacon
EUT Equipment under test
GMDSS Global maritime distress and safety system
GNS IEC 61162 sentence: GNSS fix data
GNSS Global navigation satellite system
HDG IEC 61162 sentence: Magnetic compass heading
HDT IEC 61162 sentence: True heading
HTC IEC 61162 sentence: Heading/track control command
HTD IEC 61162 sentence: Heading/track control data
IMO International Maritime Organization
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
VDM IEC 61162 sentence: AIS – VHF data link message
VDO IEC 61162 sentence: AIS – VHF data link own-vessel message
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
Performance requirements described in the following Clauses are specified, where relevant,
by reference to the numbered paragraphs of IMO MSC.163(78), if not otherwise indicated.
4.1 General
Requirements specified in this standard are only relevant to equipment designated as an
S-VDR and required to meet IMO MSC.163(78).
For equipment designated as a VDR to IMO Performance standards defined in resolution
A.861(20) refer to IEC 61996-1.
A table of cross-references between this standard and IEC 61996-1 is included in Annex B.

– 12 – 61996-2 © IEC:2007(E)
4.2 Purpose
(MSC.163(78) 1)
The purpose of a simplified voyage data recorder (S-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 S-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
(MSC.163(78) 5)
4.3.1 Design and construction
(MSC.163(78) 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 Organization , shall take special
account of the requirements for data security and continuity of operation as detailed in
IMO MSC.163(78) 5.2 and 5.3 and in this standard 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5.
4.3.2 Maintenance of sequential records
(MSC.163(78) 5.1.1)
The S-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
(MSC.163(78) 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 other recorded data items can be
derived on playback with a resolution sufficient to reconstruct the history of an incident in
detail (see 4. 6. 1) .
4.3.4 Protective capsule
4.3.4.1 Final recording medium
(MSC.163(78) 5.1.3)
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). The fixed capsule may also comply with the
requirements of IEC 61996-1.
4.3.4.1.1 Fixed capsule
(MSC.163(78) 5.1.3.2)
———————
Refer to IEC 60945: Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – General
requirements, methods of testing and required test results.

61996-2 © IEC:2007(E) – 13 –
The fixed type protective capsule shall comply with the requirements set out in resolution
A.861(20) and this standard with the exception of the resulting requirements for withstanding
penetration.
4.3.4.1.2 Float-free capsule
(MSC.163(78) 5.1.3.3)
In addition to meeting the requirements of this standard, the float-free type protective capsule
shall:
a) be so constructed as to comply with the requirements specified in resolutions A.810(19)
and A.662(16);
b) be fitted with means to facilitate grappling and recovery and be designed with due regard to
preventing it from being fouled during release;
c) be so constructed as to minimise the risk of loss or damage to the final recording medium
during recovery operations; and
d) be capable of transmitting an initial locating signal and a further locating and homing
signal for at least 48 hours over a period of not less than 7 days/168 hours.
4.3.4.2 Access to capsule
(MSC.163(78) 5.1.3.1.1) (See also 5.2)
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.
4.3.4.3 Location and identification
(See also 5.2)
4.3.4.3.1 Location
(MSC.163(78) 5.1.3.1.4) (See also 5.3)
The capsule shall be fitted with an appropriate device to aid location.
4.3.4.3.2 Visibility and marking
(MSC.163(78) 5.1.3.1)
The capsule, together with any outermost shell, shall be of a highly visible colour, marked
with retro-reflective materials that comply with the relevant requirements of IMO A.6
...