|
The installation of VDR equipment requires extensive planning and preparation in order to accommodate the various sensors and cable runs throughout a vessel. ElectroMed is committed to providing the services required for time efficient and reliable commissioning of VDR systems and can offer full ship surveys and estimates for equipment installations.
The IMO VDR Carriage Requirements
Ships engaged on international voyage shall be fitted with VDR as follows: -
Passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002
Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 not later than the first survey after 1 July 2002
Passenger ships other than Ro-Ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July
2002 not later than 1 January 2004; and Ships, other than passenger ships, of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002.
With regard to fitting of VDR on existing cargo ships, the amendments to SOLAS convention do not include requirements for existing cargo ships to carry VDR's at the moment. However, IMO resolved that a study should be carried out, as a matter of urgency, to assess the feasibility of installing VDRs on existing cargo ship and the study should be finalized not later than 1 January 2004.
Universal Automatic Identification System (UAIS)
AIS Transponder systems will become compulsory for all commercial vessels in the coming years and will provide reliable tracking and positioning information with automatic data exchange for ship to ship and ship to shore communications.
Class A, AIS Transponder
A Class A, AIS transponder will transmit the following information every 2 to 10 seconds while underway, and every 3 minutes while at anchor using two VHF frequencies (161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz). The transmissions use 9.6Kb GMSK FM modulation using HDLC packet protocols: -
MMSI Number for unique identification.
Navigational Status ('At anchor', 'Under way using engine', 'Not under command').
Rate of turn - port or starboard, 0 to 720 degrees per minute.
Speed Over Ground
Position accuracy
Latitude and Longitude
Course over ground relative to true north
True heading
Universal Time Stamp to nearest second that the information was generated
In addition to this the following information is broadcast every 6 minutes: -
- MMSI Number for unique identification.
- IMO number
- Radio Callsign
- Name of Ship
- Type of ship and cargo
- Dimensions of ship
- Location on ship of GPS reference point
- Type of Position Fixing device used
- Draught of ship
- Next destination
- ETA of destination
Class B, AIS Transponder
Class B AIS is not necessarily in full accordance with IMO AIS carriage requirements. The differences are: -
- The reporting rate is every 30 seconds when under 14 Knots
- The IMO number or Callsign is not transmitted
- The ETA or destination is not transmitted
- Navigational status is not transmitted
- Text Safety messages can only be received, not transmitted
- Rate of Turn information is not transmitted
- Present static draught is not transmitted
- Application binary identifiers are not transmitted
More about UAIS at http://www.uais.org
|
