4 The manual steering shall be tested after prolonged use of heading and/or track control systems, and before entering areas where navigation demands special caution.
Voyage Data Recorder (VDR)*
1 To assist in casualty investigations, ships, when engaged on international voyages shall be fitted with a Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) as follows:
.1 passenger ships constructed on or after [1 July 2002] ;
.2 ro-ro passenger ships constructed before [1 July 2002] not later than the first survey after [1 July 2002];
.3 passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships constructed before [1 July 2002] not later than [1 January 2004];
[・4 all ships other than passenger ships of 20000 gross tonnage and over constructed on or after [1 July 2002] not later than [1 January 2004];
.5 all ships other than passenger ships of 3000 gross tonnage and over (but less than 20000) constructed on or after [ 1 July 2002] not later than [1 January 2006];
.6 all ships other than passenger ships of 20000 gross tonnage and over constructed before [1 July 2002] not later than [1 January 2007]; and
.7 all ships other than passenger ships of 3000 gross tonnage and over (but less than 20000) constructed before [1 July 2002] not later than [1 January 2009.]]
3 Administrations may exempt ships, other than ro-ro passenger ships, constructed before [1 July 2002] from being fitted with a VDR where it can be demonstrated that interfacing a VDR with the existing equipment on the ship is unreasonable and impracticable.
4 The voyage data recorder (VDR) system, including all sensors, shall be subjected to an annual performance test. The test shall be conducted by an approved testing or servicing facility to verify the accuracy, duration and recoverability of the recorded data. In addition, tests and inspections shall be conducted to determine the serviceability of all protective enclosures and devices fitted to aid location. A copy of a certificate of compliance issued by the testing facility stating the date of compliance and the [applicable] performance standard, shall be retained on board the ship.
*Refer to resolution A.861(20) - Recommendation on Performance Standards for Voyage Data Recorders (VDRS).
