What is S-VDR or Simplified Voyage Data Recorder ? What data items must be recorded by the S-VDR as per IMO Resolution ?

Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR), as defined by the requirements of IMO Performance Standard MSC.163(78), is a lower cost simplified version VDR for small ships with only basic ship’s data recorded. It is not required to store the same level of detailed data as a standard VDR, but nonetheless should maintain a store, in a secure and retrievable form, of information concerning the position, movement, physical status, command and control of a vessel over the period leading up to and following an incident.

Hence, the principle difference between VDR and S-VDR lays in the requirements for recording of additional data

COMPARISON BETWEEN VDR & S-VDR RECORDING DATA

Input	VDR	S-VDR
Date and Time	X	X
Ship’s Position	X	X
Speed	X	X
Heading	X	X
Bridge Audio	X	X
Communications Audio	X	X
Radar Data	X	X
AIS – (Radar alternative)		When no radar signal is available
Acceleration and Hull Stresses (if fitted)	X	Only when they are available on the bridge via an IEC 61162 interface
Echo Sounder	X
Engine Order and Response	X
Hull Openings (Doors) Status	X
Main Alarms (IMO Mandatory Bridge Alarms)	X
Rudder Order and Response	X
Watertight and Fire Doors Status	X
Wind Speed and Direction	X