As July approaches, shipowners and ship managers are encouraged to ensure that Voyage data recorders (S-VDRs/VDRs) and Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) due to be installed on or after 1 July 2022 are approved to the latest performance standards. The testing and maintenance of EPIRBs should also be done according to the latest guidelines, particularly for GNSS/AIS enabled EPIRBs.
Resolution MSC.471(101), which introduced the new EPIRBs performance standards, recommends that Member States conform to performance standards and type-approval standards not inferior to those specified in the resolution in order to avoid harmful interference to the spaceborne equipment, exclude unauthorized transmissions, to ensure the operational reliability of such equipment and to avoid adverse interaction between such equipment and other communication and navigation equipment on board ships.
VDRs installed on or after 1 July 2022, are to be approved to IMO Resolution MSC.333(90), as amended by MSC.494(104). Similarly, S-VDRs installed on or after 1 July 2022, are to be approved to IMO Resolution MSC.163(78), as amended by Resolution MSC.214(81) and MSC.493(104).
RELEVANT DOCUMENTS (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):
MSC.333(90) Adoption of Revised Performance Standards for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs)
MSC.494(104) Amendments to the Performance Standards for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs)
MSC.163(78) Performance Standards for Shipborne Simplified Voyage Data Recorders (S-VDRs)
Related News
IMO issues guidelines for managing anti-fouling waste
Nov 28, 2024
IMO 2024 Guidance on Ballast Water Record-Keeping and Reporting
Nov 27, 2024
IMO issues an updated circular on approved ballast water management systems using Active Substances
Nov 26, 2024