KMSS Recives Type Approval For MBB

Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems (KMSS) has received type approval for its advanced VDR (Voyage Data Recorder) the ¡¥Maritime Black Box¡¦ (MBB). The first orders have already been taken for Viking Lines passenger vessels, who have been eagerly awaiting type approval of the superior VDR from KMSS. The new KMSS Maritime Black Box MBB consists of three main units: „h A Data Collection Unit „h A Protected Storage Unit „h Replay and Evaluation Unit KMSS has been careful not to rush into the VDR market as Svein-Erik Larsen, Vice President of Navigation Systems at KMSS comments ¡¥other companies have been selling VDR systems for a while now, but we felt that they did not meet the full potential attainable. We were willing to delay our entry into the market to ensure that we produced a product that we felt met the demanding requirements of the worlds ship owners¡¦

Borje Jansson, Viking Lines commented ¡¥the MBB from KMSS was well worth the wait, I knew that they would develop the best solution. The replay Unit is perhaps the most useful tool, as it also allows us to review events for training purposes¡¦ The Replay and Evaluation Unit, which is used to replay events, can also be used as an excellent tool for training purposes, such as entry to port. Other functions that can be included in the MBB include the recording of data for reports and training, such as voyage reports, engine logs, analysis of parameters. Distribution of online radar and ECDIS images on the ship¡¦s administrative network, backup data to CD-ROM and interfacing the Emergency Decision Support Systems can also be included.

KMSS have invested extensive resources into developing a product that expands upon the current VDR technology, ensuring that the KMSS MBB is the most advanced VDR system on the market. distributors. The data will be distributed on Base CDs backed with weekly Update CDs in a secure manner similar to the one in use by Primar today. ¡§Users will not have to make any changes to current ECDIS or other Electronic Chart Systems and will be able to navigate as earlier for the ENCs delivered by those nations who have confidently chosen the NHS RENC,¡¨ said Birkevold. The NHS RENC will cooperate with other RENCs in accordance with the WEND principles, and supports the virtual RENC concept that enables other HOs worldwide to join the NHS RENC with full control and access to their national product database.

The NHS will ensure that the transition from the existing Primar operation to the Norwegian model will be as seamless and as convenient as possible for distributors and end users.