The maritime voyage data recorder (VDR) will play the same role for ships as the flight recorder - better known as the black box - does for planes, gathering and storing vital data regarding ship operations. The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee has considered VDRs and a proposed amendment to SOLAS Chapter V is expected to be adopted at the next MSC meeting at the end of November. That will set a deadline of July 1,2002, for newbuildings whose keels are laid down by that date to be fitted with the devices.
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