1.The carriage requirement is laid down in SOLAS V, Reg 20 as amended.
(Copied below for convenience)

2.The performance standard is laid down in IMO MSC.163(78), as adopted by MSC 78.

3.The revised technical specification and test standard is laid down in IEC PAS 61996-2 “shipborne voyage data recorder (VDR), Part 2:- Simplified voyage dada recorder (S-VDR) Performance requirements – Methods of testing and required test results”.

…………..amendment to SOLAS V, as adopted by MSC…………..

Regulation 20 – Voyage Data Recorders

1.Add new paragraph 2 as follows:

“2 To assist in casualty investigations, the existing cargo ships, when engaged on international voyages, subject to the provisions of regulation



1.4, shall be fitted with a VDR which may be a simplified voyage data
recorder (S-VDR)* as follows:



.1 in the case of cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2002, at the first scheduled drydocking after (1st July 2006) but not later than (1st July 2009);



.2 In the case of cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 20,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1st July 2002, at the first scheduled dry-docking after (1st July 2007) but not later than (1st July 2010);and



.3Administrations may exempt cargo ships from the application requirements of paragraph 20.2 when such ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation date specified in subparagraphs .1 and .2 above.”