Glossary Term
VDR
VDR stands for Voyage Data Recorder. It is an onboard recording system that stores selected bridge, navigation, and alarm data so the sequence of events before an incident can be reviewed later. On larger yachts and commercially operated vessels, it supports incident investigation, safety review, and operational accountability.
A VDR may capture inputs such as position, speed, heading, time, radar or display information, bridge audio, alarms, and control commands, depending on the unit and the vessel’s configuration. The stored data is retained for a defined recording period and can be recovered after a casualty, near miss, grounding, collision, or other serious review event. Its usefulness depends on both the quality of the connected inputs and the way the recorder has been integrated into the yacht’s bridge systems.
The main value of a VDR is reconstruction of what happened, in what order, and with which warnings or actions visible at the time. It is not carried by every yacht, and the requirement depends on the vessel’s size, class, flag, and operating profile. Some yachts may use related recording arrangements instead of a full VDR, but the underlying purpose remains the same: preserving reliable voyage data for investigation and safety management.