Simplified VDR (S-VDR)
medium
12 models total
A simplified VDR captures the same post-incident evidence as a full VDR — audio, radar image, AIS, heading and GPS — but with fewer mandatory data channels and a smaller capsule, which is why SOLAS accepts it only on cargo ships built before 2002 rather than on new construction.
Read more — Simplified VDR (S-VDR) explained ▾
What makes the simplified version different
A full Voyage Data Recorder logs a wide set of bridge parameters: radar video, ECDIS data, speed and depth, rudder and engine orders, wind, hull stress on some ships, and bridge audio from several microphones. The Simplified VDR (S-VDR) was created so that older cargo ships did not have to be rewired to collect data their original bridge instruments never produced. It still captures the core evidence needed after a casualty — date and time, ship's position, speed, heading, bridge audio, radio communications audio, radar data and AIS data — but drops parameters such as full ECDIS chart data, wind and hull stress that a full VDR carries. It is accepted only as a retrofit on existing cargo ships; new cargo ships must fit a full VDR.
Main components
Data acquisition unit
Collects and time-stamps signals from the gyro or heading sensor, GPS, radar, AIS transponder, echo sounder and bridge microphones, compresses the audio and radar image, and passes the combined stream to the recording capsule.
Final recording medium (capsule)
A fixed or float-free protective capsule, built to survive fire, shock and deep submersion, stores at minimum the last 48 hours of data in a continuous loop. Float-free capsules carry a locating beacon and release automatically if the ship sinks.
Bridge microphones and interface unit
At least one microphone covers the main conning position; the interface unit multiplexes sensor signals and provides the playback interface used by investigators, normally accessed by an authorised technician rather than the crew.
Selection and retrofit considerations
Because an S-VDR is fitted to an existing bridge, the deciding factors are compatibility rather than raw capacity:
- Availability of a suitable NMEA or serial output from the existing gyro, GPS and echo sounder, since older instruments may need an interface converter.
- Capsule type, fixed or float-free, and hull location clear of interference with existing structure.
- Whether the ship's AIS unit already outputs the data fields the S-VDR needs to log without modification.
- Power supply arrangement, since the capsule must run from an uninterruptible source that survives a main power failure for at least two hours.
Regulations and class
SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 20 sets the carriage requirement; cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2002 were permitted to fit an S-VDR instead of a full VDR. IMO Resolution MSC.163(78) and the related performance standard set the minimum data set and the 48-hour recording capacity. Class requires an annual performance test by an approved technician, checking that all required data channels are actually being recorded and that the capsule can be recovered and played back, with the results recorded in the ship's certificate.
Typical faults
| Fault | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Microphone gain drifted or channel dead | Bridge audio missing or unintelligible in the recording, a common annual test failure |
| Interface converter fault on an old sensor feed | One or more required data channels stop recording without an obvious alarm |
| Capsule battery for the locating beacon expired | Float-free capsule will not transmit its position if released after a casualty |
| Data overwritten before retrieval after an incident | Evidence lost because the continuous loop recorded over the event before the capsule was saved |
| UPS battery failed | Recording stops during the power failure that is often exactly when it is needed most |
What to look for in a supplier
- Technician certified by the VDR manufacturer to carry out the annual performance test, not a general electronics contractor.
- Experience integrating older bridge instruments typical of pre-2002 tonnage, since the interfacing work is where most S-VDR problems originate.
- Stock of replacement capsules and beacons compatible with the installed model, given these units are eventually discontinued by the maker.
- A clear procedure for securing the data after an incident, including how quickly the capsule can be downloaded before the loop recording overwrites it.
Test the bridge audio channel by talking normally from the actual conning position, not next to the microphone; annual tests have been passed on a system that could not pick up a watch officer's voice from where he actually stands.
11 manufacturers · 12 models
Danelec Marine
2
DM100 S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Sensor, antenna or transducer fault, typically indicated by missing, unstable or implausible navigation data
- Power-supply or processor failure, typically indicated by blank display, rebooting or unavailable function
- Network/interface fault, typically indicated by missing data on connected bridge systems or communication alarms
- Cable/connector corrosion or water ingress, typically indicated by intermittent operation or signal loss
- Recording/storage or software fault on recorder-type equipment, typically indicated by data gaps, recording alarms or failed playback
Service: Check self-tests, sensor/transducer condition, data interfaces, time/position inputs, recording status where applicable, power supplies and alarm history; performance tests and calibration must follow approved manufacturer and statutory procedures.
Spare Parts: Carry critical fuses, power supplies, interface modules, storage media where approved, sensors/transducers or display peripherals according to equipment criticality.
Use Cases: Used on merchant, passenger, offshore and naval vessels for navigation, bridge situational awareness, environmental sensing and voyage-data recording. This entry applies specifically to the Simplified VDR (S-VDR) variant identified as Danelec Marine DM100 S-VDR.
DM200 S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
48
Capsule type
fixed
Cyber secure
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Sensor, antenna or transducer fault, typically indicated by missing, unstable or implausible navigation data
- Power-supply or processor failure, typically indicated by blank display, rebooting or unavailable function
- Network/interface fault, typically indicated by missing data on connected bridge systems or communication alarms
- Cable/connector corrosion or water ingress, typically indicated by intermittent operation or signal loss
- Recording/storage or software fault on recorder-type equipment, typically indicated by data gaps, recording alarms or failed playback
Service: Check self-tests, sensor/transducer condition, data interfaces, time/position inputs, recording status where applicable, power supplies and alarm history; performance tests and calibration must follow approved manufacturer and statutory procedures.
Spare Parts: Carry critical fuses, power supplies, interface modules, storage media where approved, sensors/transducers or display peripherals according to equipment criticality.
Use Cases: Used on merchant, passenger, offshore and naval vessels for navigation, bridge situational awareness, environmental sensing and voyage-data recording. This entry applies specifically to the Simplified VDR (S-VDR) variant identified as Danelec Marine DM200 S-VDR.
AMI Marine
1
ShipManager S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Sensor or interface failure causes missing channels, invalid data or system alarms
- Microphone or audio-interface faults cause missing bridge or radio audio in the recording
- Storage-media or protected-capsule faults cause recording alarms or gaps in retained data
- Network, serial or power-supply faults cause intermittent acquisition, restart or loss of recording
- Incorrect time synchronization or configuration causes misaligned or incorrectly identified recorded data
Service: Review built-in test status, channel health, time synchronization, microphones, power supply, UPS and recording storage. Confirm required bridge and navigation inputs are present without altering the approved configuration. Investigate any missing channels or repeated recording alarms. Refer to manufacturer and statutory documentation for the exact figure for retention, test and performance criteria.
Spare Parts: Carry power supplies, interface modules, microphones where supported, storage or recorder modules, fuses and backed-up approved configuration files.
Use Cases: Voyage-data recording on SOLAS and other vessels equipped with VDR or S-VDR.
Consilium Marine
1
SAL S-VDR G4
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fluid, or other service supply from a protection trip, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance leads to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
Service: Inspect the unit for leakage, corrosion, contamination, loose connections, abnormal noise or vibration, condition of guards and mountings, service supplies, controls, alarms, and functional performance. Use maintenance history to identify deterioration trends and refer to manufacturer documentation for exact settings, tolerances, test values, and overhaul criteria.
Spare Parts: Keep the manufacturer-recommended seals and gaskets, filters where fitted, fuses or protection items, common sensors and switches, and critical actuator, control, or wear components appropriate to the installed configuration. Exact part numbers and quantities must come from the manufacturer spare-parts documentation.
Use Cases: Used on vessel types fitted with navigation & bridge equipment equipment, including merchant, offshore, passenger, fishing, or workboat installations where this specific simplified vdr (s-vdr) duty is required.
Furuno
1
VR-7000 S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
float-free
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Sensor or antenna degradation caused by contamination, damage, ageing or poor exposure can produce missing, unstable or implausible data
- Connector, cable or network faults caused by vibration, corrosion or disturbed terminations can cause intermittent data loss or interface alarms
- Power-supply or internal electronics failure caused by ageing, heat or poor ventilation can result in resets, blank indications or complete loss of function
- Configuration or software errors after service or replacement can cause incorrect data, rejected inputs or loss of communication with other bridge equipment
- Mechanical damage or water ingress at exposed components can lead to erratic readings, repeated alarms or loss of the affected channel
Service: Inspect exposed sensors or antennas, cable routes, connectors, power supplies, displays and network interfaces. Confirm that indicated or recorded data is plausible and that built-in tests and alarms operate. Compare configuration and test results with the vessel's approved records and manufacturer documentation.
Spare Parts: Keep maker-recommended fuses, connectors, sensor accessories, fans, interface or power modules and other approved line-replaceable items that match the installed configuration.
Use Cases: Commercial ships, passenger vessels, offshore vessels and workboats requiring bridge navigation, recording, environmental or traffic information.
Hyundai Welding
1
HGS-2400 VDR S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Sensor, antenna or transducer fault, typically indicated by missing, unstable or implausible navigation data
- Power-supply or processor failure, typically indicated by blank display, rebooting or unavailable function
- Network/interface fault, typically indicated by missing data on connected bridge systems or communication alarms
- Cable/connector corrosion or water ingress, typically indicated by intermittent operation or signal loss
- Recording/storage or software fault on recorder-type equipment, typically indicated by data gaps, recording alarms or failed playback
Service: Check self-tests, sensor/transducer condition, data interfaces, time/position inputs, recording status where applicable, power supplies and alarm history; performance tests and calibration must follow approved manufacturer and statutory procedures.
Spare Parts: Carry critical fuses, power supplies, interface modules, storage media where approved, sensors/transducers or display peripherals according to equipment criticality.
Use Cases: Used on merchant, passenger, offshore and naval vessels for navigation, bridge situational awareness, environmental sensing and voyage-data recording. This entry applies specifically to the Simplified VDR (S-VDR) variant identified as Hyundai HGS-2400 VDR S-VDR.
JRC
1
JHS-800 S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other service supply caused by a tripped protection device, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults can cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance can lead to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
Service: Inspect the unit for leakage, corrosion, contamination, loose connections, abnormal noise or vibration, condition of guards and mountings, service supplies, controls, alarms, and functional performance. Use the vessel maintenance history to identify deterioration trends and refer to the manufacturer documentation for exact settings, tolerances, test values, and overhaul criteria.
Spare Parts: Keep the manufacturer-recommended seals and gaskets, filters where fitted, fuses or protection items, common sensors and switches, and critical actuator, control, or wear components appropriate to the installed configuration. Exact part numbers and quantities must come from the manufacturer spare-parts documentation.
Use Cases: Used on vessel types fitted with navigation & bridge equipment equipment, including merchant, offshore, passenger, fishing, or workboat installations where this specific simplified vdr (s-vdr) duty is required.
Kelvin Hughes
1
EchoStar VDR S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Recording or storage failure caused by disk, memory, processor or software faults, resulting in recorder alarms or missing data channels
- Power-supply failure caused by breaker, converter or wiring faults, resulting in loss of the equipment or repeated restarts
- Network or interface failure caused by damaged cabling, port faults or configuration changes, resulting in loss of data to connected systems
- Display, processor or control failure caused by hardware or software faults, resulting in frozen indications, alarms or unavailable functions
- Incorrect configuration or time, position or sensor input caused by setup or upstream faults, resulting in misleading or incomplete information
Service: Inspect sensors, antennas, transducers, cameras, cabling, power supplies and network interfaces applicable to the installed equipment. Compare displayed information with independent references where possible and investigate recurring alarms or missing channels. Verify required outputs to other bridge systems and preserve configuration before approved software or hardware maintenance. Clean exposed sensors and optical surfaces without damaging coatings or seals. Check backup power or recording arrangements where applicable. Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the exact figure for test, calibration, update and recovery procedures.
Spare Parts: Keep fuses, selected power-supply and interface modules, cables or connectors, storage media where applicable and manufacturer-recommended sensor or electronic spares. Replacement core units must remain compatible with the approved bridge installation. Preserve configuration and recorded setup data.
Use Cases: Bridge navigation, monitoring, recording and maritime safety information functions on merchant ships, passenger vessels, offshore units and workboats.
L3 Technologies
1
MV-310 VDR S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Recording or storage failure caused by disk, memory, processor or software faults, resulting in recorder alarms or missing data channels
- Power-supply failure caused by breaker, converter or wiring faults, resulting in loss of the equipment or repeated restarts
- Network or interface failure caused by damaged cabling, port faults or configuration changes, resulting in loss of data to connected systems
- Display, processor or control failure caused by hardware or software faults, resulting in frozen indications, alarms or unavailable functions
- Incorrect configuration or time, position or sensor input caused by setup or upstream faults, resulting in misleading or incomplete information
Service: Inspect sensors, antennas, transducers, cameras, cabling, power supplies and network interfaces applicable to the installed equipment. Compare displayed information with independent references where possible and investigate recurring alarms or missing channels. Verify required outputs to other bridge systems and preserve configuration before approved software or hardware maintenance. Clean exposed sensors and optical surfaces without damaging coatings or seals. Check backup power or recording arrangements where applicable. Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the exact figure for test, calibration, update and recovery procedures.
Spare Parts: Keep fuses, selected power-supply and interface modules, cables or connectors, storage media where applicable and manufacturer-recommended sensor or electronic spares. Replacement core units must remain compatible with the approved bridge installation. Preserve configuration and recorded setup data.
Use Cases: Bridge navigation, monitoring, recording and maritime safety information functions on merchant ships, passenger vessels, offshore units and workboats.
Netwave
1
NW-6000 S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Sensor, camera or input failure causes missing data, blank images or channel alarms
- Power-supply, UPS or network faults cause system restart, loss of recording or unavailable remote status
- Storage-media or recorder faults cause gaps in retained data or failed self-tests
- Incorrect time, configuration or interface data causes inconsistent records or false alarms
- Control, acknowledgment or communication faults cause unavailable watchkeeping or security functions
Service: Review self-tests, event logs, time synchronization, power supplies, storage status and connected sensor channels. Verify required alarms and communication paths under the approved procedure without sending unauthorized security alerts. Check data quality and retention status where applicable. Refer to manufacturer and statutory documentation for the exact figure for test and retention criteria.
Spare Parts: Carry approved storage or recorder modules where supported, power supplies, network interfaces, camera parts, fuses and backed-up configuration data.
Use Cases: Voyage recording, bridge watchkeeping, onboard surveillance and statutory security functions.
Rutter
1
Sigma S6 VDR S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Sensor, antenna or transducer fault, typically indicated by missing, unstable or implausible navigation data
- Power-supply or processor failure, typically indicated by blank display, rebooting or unavailable function
- Network/interface fault, typically indicated by missing data on connected bridge systems or communication alarms
- Cable/connector corrosion or water ingress, typically indicated by intermittent operation or signal loss
- Recording/storage or software fault on recorder-type equipment, typically indicated by data gaps, recording alarms or failed playback
Service: Check self-tests, sensor/transducer condition, data interfaces, time/position inputs, recording status where applicable, power supplies and alarm history; performance tests and calibration must follow approved manufacturer and statutory procedures.
Spare Parts: Carry critical fuses, power supplies, interface modules, storage media where approved, sensors/transducers or display peripherals according to equipment criticality.
Use Cases: Used on merchant, passenger, offshore and naval vessels for navigation, bridge situational awareness, environmental sensing and voyage-data recording. This entry applies specifically to the Simplified VDR (S-VDR) variant identified as Rutter Sigma S6 VDR S-VDR.
Samsung Heavy Industries
1
SHI-VDR 100 S-VDR
unverified
IMO Compliant
ja
Recording (h)
12
Capsule type
fixed
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Recording or storage failure caused by disk, memory, processor or software faults, resulting in recorder alarms or missing data channels
- Power-supply failure caused by breaker, converter or wiring faults, resulting in loss of the equipment or repeated restarts
- Network or interface failure caused by damaged cabling, port faults or configuration changes, resulting in loss of data to connected systems
- Display, processor or control failure caused by hardware or software faults, resulting in frozen indications, alarms or unavailable functions
- Incorrect configuration or time, position or sensor input caused by setup or upstream faults, resulting in misleading or incomplete information
Service: Inspect sensors, antennas, transducers, cameras, cabling, power supplies and network interfaces applicable to the installed equipment. Compare displayed information with independent references where possible and investigate recurring alarms or missing channels. Verify required outputs to other bridge systems and preserve configuration before approved software or hardware maintenance. Clean exposed sensors and optical surfaces without damaging coatings or seals. Check backup power or recording arrangements where applicable. Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the exact figure for test, calibration, update and recovery procedures.
Spare Parts: Keep fuses, selected power-supply and interface modules, cables or connectors, storage media where applicable and manufacturer-recommended sensor or electronic spares. Replacement core units must remain compatible with the approved bridge installation. Preserve configuration and recorded setup data.
Use Cases: Bridge navigation, monitoring, recording and maritime safety information functions on merchant ships, passenger vessels, offshore units and workboats.