MGN 272 (M) : Voyage Data Recorder'S (VDRS) - Performance Testing

MARINE GUIDANCE NOTE
MGN 272 (M)
VOYAGE DATA RECORDER’S (VDRs) –

PERFORMANCE TESTING
Notice to all Ship Owners and Operators; Masters, and Deck Officers of Merchant Ships;
Manufacturers, and Suppliers of Voyage Data Recorders.
Summary
• Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) should be tested after installation and annually thereafter.
• The test must be undertaken by a competent person
• The proforma at annex1 should be used to record the test result
1. Introduction and -/+ 3 months of due date for CSC and

Full details of performance testing SEC. (Thus the Maximum period between
re q u i rements for VDR’s can be found subsequent checks of the VDR is 15
in the publication; MCA SAFETY OF months for Passenger vessels and 18
NAVIGATION – IMPLEMENTING SOLAS months for Cargo vessels).
CHAPTER V, as amended. Available on
the MCA website under guidance and Where vessels are on a partial continuous
regulations. survey regime the VDR annual
performance testing can be scheduled
Whenever a system is commissioned it shall into the continuous survey cycle.
also undergo equivalent testing.
3. Format of Certificates
2. Annual testing Annex 1 contains a pro forma of the
The annual testing is to be carried out by minimum data that a certificate of
a suitably Competent Person, The annual completion of performance testing of a
testing and checks must be carried in Voyage Data Recorder should contain.
conjunction with the relevant Statutory This form is to be completed by a
Survey [e.g. Passenger Ship Safety competent person.
Certificate (PC), Cargo Ship Safety
Certificate (CSC) or Cargo Ship Safety
Equipment Certificate (SEC)]. 4. Competent Person
For the purposes of this notice, a competent
The VDR check must also be carried out person to conduct performance tests is
within the survey period permitted by the someone with the re q u i red knowledge,
Harmonised System of Survey and skills, and experience. They shall be
Certification. accredited by the equipment manufacturer,
EU Flag State, or UK Authorised
The Survey Window allowed is up to Classification Society, and provided with
3 months before the due date for PC; evidence of competence to carry out the
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testing of appropriate VDR equipment. The Further Information
competent person must be independent of
the vessels owner/operator, unless the Further information on the contents of this
process of testing is demonstrated to a Notice can be obtained from:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
surveyor. The Survey Branch
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place,
5. Data Retrieval Bay 1 / 01
A c rucial element of both the commissioning 105 Commercial Road
and annual testing is the decoded analysis SO15 1EG
of 12 hour data. In order to ensure a cost
e ffective approach; the operator should Telephone: 023 8032 9454
consult with the person who will undertake Fax: 023 8032 9104
the testing with re g a rd to the specific
requirements for the unit installed. General Enquiries: 24 Hour Info Line
infoline@mcga.gov.uk
In some cases, in order to prevent loss of the 0870 600 6505
required data through over-writing; it will
be necessary to switch off the VDR shortly Maritime and Coastguard Agency Website
after arrival in the port at which the annual Address:
tests are to be undertaken. The 12 hour data Internet: http://www.mcga.gov.uk
shall incorporate proof that all relevant
interfaces as indicated on the report are File Ref: 103/001/0372
operational. The 12 hour data shall be
recorded as close as practical before the Published: 07/2004
date of issue of the certificate © Crown Copyright 2004
Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas
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ANNEX 1
VOYAGE DATA RECORDER PERFORMANCE TEST CERTIFICATE
Note – Insert Tick (✔) for success or Cross ( ✘) for failure or

N/A for non fitted interfaces in these boxes as appropriate
Ship’s Details
Ship’s Name
Flag
IMO Number
Date Keel laid
Gross Tonnage
Voyage Data Recorder Details

Manufacturer
Model
System Serial Number
Software version number
Date Fitted
Inspection Details
Name person conducting testing
Company
Inspection Date
Inspection Location
1. Pre-existing Alarms
Confirm that no alarms were present at start of procedure
2. Power Supply Alarm Check

Remove source of external power. Confirm that alarm is activated.
Record time (hh.mm)
3. Reserve Power Source Check

Allow VDR to continue running for 1 hour 55 minutes from ‘2’ above.
Confirm that equipment is still operating at this time, with no additional alarms.
Record time (hh.mm)
4. Reserve Power Source shut down Check

2 hours 05 minutes from ‘2’ above confirm that the VDR has automatically
stopped recording
Record time (hh.mm)
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5. Battery Expiry Dates
Battery Expiry Date
Acoustic Beacon
Reserve Power Source
6. Acoustic Beacon Test

Using Manufacturer’s test equipment confirm that Acoustic Beacon is functional
7. Physical Condition of Equipment Inspect Equipment and Record Condition, tick if satisfactory:-
Sub Unit Notes on Condition
Protective Capsule
External Cables
Main Unit
8. Interfaces: Operation and recording

Date & time Preferably external to ship
(e.g. Global Navigation satellite system.)
Ship’s position Electronic Positioning system
Speed Ship’s Designated Speed and
(through water or over ground) Distance Measuring Equipment
Heading Ship’s compass
Bridge Audio 1 or more bridge microphones
Communications Audio VHF
Radar data- post display selection Master radar display
Water depth Echo Sounder
Main alarms All mandatory alarms on bridge
Rudder order & response Steering gear & autopilot
Engine order & response Telegraphs, controls and thrusters
Hull openings status All mandatory status information
displayed on bridge
Watertight & fire door status All mandatory status information
displayed on bridge
Acceleration & hull stresses Hull stress and response monitoring
equipment when fitted
Wind speed & direction Anemometer when fitted
9. Change or Repair of Sensors

a) Check maintenance records of VDR
b) Confirm any defects properly rectified
10. Manufacturer’s Analysis

Manufacturers analysis of 12 hour log is attached and in accordance with IEC 61996 Section 4.6 –
Data Items to be recorded (A. 861 / 5.4) All relevant interfaces to be proven
Date and time of above log
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11. Observations and additional manufacturer’s requirements
Manufacturer’s Certified Representative Vessel’s Representative
Name Name
Signature Signature
Date Date
This performance test was conducted in accordance with the requirements of SOLAS74 Chapter V Regulation
18.8 and is related to the SAFETY CERTIFICATE for this vessel which is
due for revalidation on .
In accordance with the principals of harmonisation of certification it will remain valid until the next annual
re-validation of that certificate, subject to the equipment being maintained in appropriate operational condition.
Top copy – Retained by Certified Representative

Bottom copy – Retained by vessel
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MARINE GUIDANCE NOTE

MGN 272 (M)

VOYAGE DATA RECORDER’S (VDRs) –

1. Introduction and -/+ 3 months of due date for CSC and

Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas

Note – Insert Tick (✔) for success or Cross ( ✘) for failure or

Voyage Data Recorder Details

2. Power Supply Alarm Check

3. Reserve Power Source Check

4. Reserve Power Source shut down Check

6. Acoustic Beacon Test

8. Interfaces: Operation and recording

9. Change or Repair of Sensors

10. Manufacturer’s Analysis

Manufacturer’s Certified Representative Vessel’s Representative

Top copy – Retained by Certified Representative

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