VDRs for Inland Vessels: Does It Make Sense?
It just might. And, youâve got options.The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) carriage requirements apply to all passenger ships regardless of gross tons or year of build, and to all cargo ships 3000 gross tons or larger built after 2002. A simplified VDR (S-VDR) is allowed on older ships built before 2002. The performance standard was updated in 2014. That said; a full type-approved VDR is not a requirement for inland vessels under 3,000 GT. Nevertheless, a good case to be made for installing a (less costly) data recording device on such vessels, ideally with remote access and reporting as part of an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to monitor the vessel and its installed equipment.
VDRs for Inland Vessels? Does It Make Sense?
It just might. And, youâve got options.The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) carriage requirements apply to all passenger ships regardless of gross tons or year of build, and to all cargo ships 3000 gross tons or larger built after 2002. A simplified VDR (S-VDR) is allowed on older ships built before 2002. The performance standard was updated in 2014. That said; a full type-approved VDR is not a requirement for inland vessels under 3,000 GT. Nevertheless, a good case to be made for installing a (less costly) data recording device on such vessels, ideally with remote access and reporting as part of an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to monitor the vessel and its installed equipment.
BIMCO, CIRM Propose Software Maintenance Standard for Shipping
BIMCO and the international association for the marine electronics industry, CIRM (Comité International Radio-Maritime), have sent the industryâs first proposal for an industry-wide standard for software maintenance to the IMO for consideration. Without an industry-standard, BIMCO sees an increasing risk of severe incidents on ships, delays and costs to shipowners and cyber security problems. "We hope the entire industry will adopt these standards, to make ships safer, to prevent cyber security problems and to save money," says Angus Frew, Secretary General and CEO at BIMCO. "The industry has been living in a world of hardware. But software has been integrated into most physical equipment on the vesselsâŚ
WinGD Opens Virtual Reality Engine Room Facilities
Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) has inaugurated a new installation of its W-Xpert Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for training complete engine room crews at the Marine Power Academy Training Center of Hudong Heavy Machinery Co. Ltd. (HHM), in Shanghai, China. The simulator joins a network of some 20 further installations at strategic locations around the world. As well as being the first installation of WinGDâs dedicated, multi-touchscreen simulation hardware in China, the ShanghaiâŚ
New Danelec ECDIS Includes UK AIO Service
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) ADMIRALTY Information Overlay (AIO) is now available on Danelec Marine DM800 G2 Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). AIO allows subscribers using the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS) to view the latest temporary and preliminary notices to mariners as overlays on the ECDIS screen, as an aid to route planning and navigation. The AIO is displayed as a single layer on top of the basic Electronic Navigation Chart display. âAIO helps bridge crews identify areas of possible uncertainty and risk at the crucial planning stage,â said Thomas Mellor, UKHO head of OEM technical support and digital standards.
Kongsberg Upgrades Software for Norden
Kongsberg Maritime has delivered new fleet and vessel management functionality through a recent customized software update across Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/Sâ fleet and shore offices. The software roll-out took place during January 2016 and included updates to vessel and shore based modules covering maintenance, spare parts, information sharing, procurement and budgeting. The updated software was developed in close co-operation with NORDEN, an independent Danish shipping company operating a large global fleet of dry cargo vessels and product tankers.
Safebridge Adds Type-Specific ECDIS Training Packages
Safebridge, the Hamburg-based pioneer in interactive, Internet-based, navigation training, has released its eighth online type-specific training course for the Imtech SeaGuide ECDIS. âWe are drawing closer to our goal of providing a comprehensive range of flexible, cost-effective, online courses for all major ECDIS suppliers in anticipation of increasing demand for type-specific training,â said Safebridge managing director, Ulf Steden. âThis was the last of the releases completed in the first half of 2013.
Offshore Maritime Simulator Contract for Kongsberg
Kongsberg Maritime simulators have been selected for Maersk Training's new centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The delivery to Maersk Training Brazil Treinamentos Maritimos LTDA is under a non-exclusive frame agreement signed earlier by Kongsberg Maritime and Maersk Training. The Kongsberg Offshore Vessel Simulator at Maersk Training Brazil will be operational in the second quarter 2013. The new simulator package includes the advanced Kongsberg Offshore Vessel Simulator integrated with Kongsberg's K-Pos Dynamic Positioning Simulator, which will meet The Nautical Institute's class A requirements.
TORM chooses Transas Marine Dual ECDIS
TORM has chosen Transas Marine as an ECDIS supplier for five of its vessels. Navi-Sailor 4000 Dual ECDIS will be installed on five L-Class Tankers. Along with this, Transas Marine will supply and install 1 x âBack of the Bridgeâ station on each of the five vessels, and the vessels will thereby obtain 3 x fully operational ECDIS stations. Transas Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS âBack of the Bridgeâ planning station is based on the 24ââ Panel PC. It includes Navi-Planner with full voyage plan functionality and ECDIS Software. Installation has been completed on the vessel âTORM LOUISEâ, and remaining 4 vessels will be equipped in the following months. In addition, Transas Marine has upgraded eight other TORM vessels to the latest hard- and software versions.
ECDIS Training Course Now Revised
At the request of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS), Interschalt joined the German delegation attending the London meeting of the 43rd Subcommittee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in May 2012. Serving as a consultant, Interschalt, which is headquartered in Schenefeld, Germany (near Hamburg), made important suggestions and proposals aimed at improving basic training in the area of the ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System). The gerneric ECDIS training is build on the revised ECDIS Model Course 1.27. Since July 1, 2012, an ECDIS has been mandatory on all newly built passenger ships with more than 500 gross tonnage (GT) and newly built tankers with more than 3,000 GT.
Consilium ECDIS Product-Specific on Board Training Module
Consilium, one of the worldsâs leading suppliers of fire and gas detection and navigation systems, has reached an agreement with well known training specialist Seagull to develop an ECDIS product-specific computer-based training package. As mandatory ECDIS fast approaches, Seagull Managing Director Roger Ringstad said that ECDIS suppliers were increasingly realising the need for product-specific ECDIS training onboard ship. âShore-based ECDIS facilities can hardly offer the type of product-specific training that key Flag States are increasingly seeking, because there are too many different ECDIS makers and an unlimited number of software versions and system configurations,â he said. âECDIS training has reached a crossroads and ship owners need to be ready for compulsory ECDIS.