Voyage data recorder

The VDR, a tamper-protected ship recorder that continuously captures bridge audio, radar and ECDIS images, position, heading, speed, and key alarms, the maritime equivalent of an aircraft black box. SOLAS Chapter V requires a VDR on passenger ships and large cargo ships, and a simplified S-VDR on many existing cargo ships. After a casualty the protected capsule data is read out for the investigation, which is why VDR maintenance and annual performance testing are mandatory.