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trolled by the computer. For instance, ing business. But with selective remote data acquisition units and computers. such as GPS, gyrocompass, speed log or when open-ocean steaming, they might access, operators can actually get a re- Separately, the Oil Companies Inter- depth sounder, should malfunction.

specify reports every four hours, or even turn on that investment, using the VDR national Marine Forum (OCIMF) has Beyond the obvious utility of the sys- once a day for the noon report. When the as the central ‘clearing house’ for data called for proactive use of VDRs to en- tem itself, VDRConnect has been de- depth sounder shows shallower water from mandated and non-mandated sys- hance safety at sea. OCIMF believes that signed to accept connections with other readings or the ECDIS shows the ship tems and sensors. the VDR can be a useful tool for detect- systems not mandated by the IMO VDR entering restricted waters, the system The cost of installing and maintaining ing unsafe practices, analyzing incidents standard, such as fuel meters, main en- could be programmed to increase the re- a custom data network on the ship with and correcting navigational mistakes. gine, generators, emission monitors and porting interval automatically.” a combination of hard-wired and wi-? Using data from the VDR, the ship man- auxiliary machinery. The VDR can thus

At the end of the day, however, ‘data is connections to hundreds of data points is ager can set up remedial crew training, become the centerpiece of a ship-wide IT just data’ when it comes to transmission very high. Denelec’s Ottosen continues, correct poor practices and create event- data network, serving as a clearing house costs. The more you send, the more it “The VDR can provide a very economi- driven roles for parameters such as for collection of data from all the ship’s costs. Ottosen calls the selective remote cal and ef? cient platform for gather- depth beneath the keel at speed, traf? c systems and sensors and making it avail- access just ‘smart business,’ adding, ing and storing data from a wide range separation scheme adherence or voyage able for selective ship-to-shore down- “Instead of ‘all you can eat’ bandwidth, of ship systems and sensors, making plans with automatic warnings for devia- load in an economical way, to enhance

VDRConnect allows ‘just what you it available for selective extraction by tions detected. And since this function fuel ef? ciency and voyage optimization.

need’ consumption.” It’s here, he says, shore of? ces. Since you already have to wouldn’t require new cabling or links where operators can really save money. buy the VDR anyway, why not use it for with non-mandatory ship systems or Big Data / Small Package something more than just storing data for sensors, the practice can be implemented Remote monitoring is here to stay. So,

The Poor Man’s Remote Monitoring accident investigators?” immediately. Existing clients already use too, is Big Data. Both will cost you mon-

It all sounds good, but in age when According to Denelec, adding a func- VDRConnect to provide a portal for re- ey. On the other hand, since various VDR many operators are struggling to make tion like VDRConnect to the VDR is a mote con? guration of the VDR and re- manufacturers already have global sales money and others are drowning in red relatively small incremental increase in viewing data for the mandatory VDR an- and service distributors fully trained ink, the remote monitoring of critical the cost of the VDR itself, and a small nual performance test before the service and equipped to maintain and repair the equipment remains out of reach. Or, fraction of the cost of installing and personnel board the vessel. It can also VDRs, that cost can be minimized. Go maybe not. The VDR is an unavoidable maintaining a custom ship-wide data provide an immediate warning if any ahead: stick your toes in the water. What capital expense – part of the cost of do- network, with cables, wi-? connections, of the devices sending data to the VDR, are you waiting for? Big Data is here.

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