June 2003

TOTEM PLUS Voyage Data Recorder

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PREFACE.........................................................................................................................4

2. SYSTEM OVERVIEW....................................................................................................6

2.1. MAIN UNIT CABINET ......................................................................................................7

2.2. PROTECTIVE MEMORY CAPSULE (PMC) ........................................................................8

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ....................................................................................9

3.1. THE MAIN SCREEN .........................................................................................................9

3.2. ALARMS SCREEN .......................................................................................................... 11
3.3. MENU OPTIONS ............................................................................................................ 12
3.3.1. Password Dialog ............................................................................................. 12
3.4. FILE MENU – MAIN SCREEN .........................................................................................12
3.5. TOOLS MENU – MAIN SCREEN ..................................................................................... 15
3.5.1. Alarm Log........................................................................................................ 15
3.5.2. Radar Image Viewer........................................................................................ 15
3.5.3. PLC Readout ................................................................................................... 16
3.5.4. Initial Configuration........................................................................................ 16
3.5.5. NMEA Sentences ............................................................................................. 21
3.5.6. Microphone Check .......................................................................................... 22
3.6. SETUP MENU – MAIN SCREEN ..................................................................................... 22
3.6.1. Access Setup .................................................................................................... 22
3.6.2. Exit Application ............................................................................................... 23
3.6.3. Shut Down The System .................................................................................... 23
3.7. ABOUT MENU – MAIN SCREEN .................................................................................... 23

4. REPLAY OF SAVED DATA........................................................................................ 24

4.1. VDR REPLAY MAIN SCREEN ....................................................................................... 25

4.2. FILE MENU – REPLAY MAIN SCREEN ........................................................................... 27
4.3. SETUP MENU – REPLAY MAIN SCREEN ........................................................................ 27
4.3.1. Setup File.........................................................................................................28

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4.3.2. Select Data Directory ......................................................................................30

4.4. TIME SELECTION SCREEN – RADAR PICTURES ............................................................. 30
4.5. TIME SELECTION SCREEN – NAVIGATION DATA .......................................................... 33
4.6. TIME SELECTION SCREEN – AUDIO ..............................................................................35

5. TIME CORRELATION................................................................................................ 37

6. INSTALLATION ........................................................................................................... 39

6.1. LOCATION OF THE PMC ............................................................................................... 39

6.2. CAPSULE INSTALLATION............................................................................................... 40
6.3. LOCATION OF THE MAIN UNIT ......................................................................................40
6.4. MAIN UNIT INSTALLATION ........................................................................................... 40
6.5. LOCATION OF THE MICROPHONES .................................................................................41
6.6. LOCATION OF THE ALARM PANEL .................................................................................41
6.7. SETUP OF THE AUDIO CARD .........................................................................................41
6.8. SETUP OF THE VIDEO GRABBER ................................................................................... 43
6.9. INSTALLATION OF OPTICAL ISOLATORS FOR NMEA ..................................................... 45

7. FAULT FINDING.......................................................................................................... 46

7.1. POWER SUPPLY ALARM .................................................................................................46

7.2. RECORD FUNCTION ......................................................................................................46
7.3. MICROPHONE FUNCTIONALITY ..................................................................................... 46

8. MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................................... 47

8.1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING AND VERIFICATION OF THE FINAL RECORDING MEDIUM DATA
47
8.2. MAINTENANCE TASKS TO BE CARRIED OUT ONCE A YEAR ............................................ 47
8.3. MAINTENANCE TASKS TO BE CARRIED OUT ONCE PER FIVE YEARS ............................... 47
8.4. SPARE PARTS................................................................................................................ 47

9. APPENDIX A - TECHNICAL DATA AND DRAWINGS ........................................ 48

9.1. MAIN UNIT CABINET:................................................................................................... 48

9.2. PROTECTIVE MEMORY CAPSULE:.................................................................................48

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TOTEM PLUS Voyage Data Recorder

1. Preface
This manual provides the general layout, operation, installation and maintenance of the Totem Plus
Voyage Data Recorder (Totem VDR).

The purpose of the VDR is to maintain, in a secure and retrievable form, a record of information
concerning the position, movement, physical status, command and control of a vessel over the period
leading up to, and following, an incident having an impact thereon. This information is for use during
any subsequent investigation to identify the cause(s) of the incident.

The basis of the system is the Main Unit. This unit is connected to all the monitored items that are being
recorded, as per IMO resolution A.861(20), and to other optional equipment upon request.

The data of the last 12h is stored in a PC that is an integral part of the Main Unit. The PC is connected
through Ethernet cable to the Protective Memory Capsule (PMC). Data of the last 12h is transferred,
from the PC, through the Ethernet and stored in a final recording medium inside the PMC.

The recording is executed automatically and no intervention is allowed. The keyboard is locked inside
the Main Unit and only authorized personnel having password are allowed to operate it.

The design and construction of the system is in accordance with IMO resolutions:
A.861(20) – Performance Standard for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorder
A.694(17) – General requirements for shipborne radio equipment, (GMDSS) and for
electronic navigational aids.
A.686(17) and A.830(19) , (as applicable) – Code on Alarms and Indicators.

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IEC 61996 Ed 1.0 (2000-07) – Maritime navigation and radio communication equipment and
systems – Shipborne Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) –
Methods of testing and required test results.
IEC 60945 Ed. 3.0 (1996-11) – Maritime navigation and radio communication equipment
and systems – General requirements – Methods of testing and
required test results.
IEC 61162-1 Ed. 2.0 (2000-07) - Maritime navigation and radio communication equipment
and systems – Digital interfaces – Part 1: Single talker and
multiple listeners.

Recording period and duration

Recording shall be continuous unless:
1) The ship’s emergency source of electrical power supply fails. The VDR shall continue to record
bridge audio from a dedicated reserve source of power for a period of 2 hours. At the end of this 2
hours period all recording shall cease automatically.

2) Interrupted briefly for saving of non-catastrophic data. Interruption of recording for the saving
procedure should not exceed 10 min. During the saving process the data in the final recording
medium is not erased.

3) a) The vessel is in port during essential maintenance.

b) The vessel is laid-up.

The time for which all stored data items are retained is at least 12 hours. Data items that are older than
this are overwritten with new data.

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2. System Overview

Fig. No. 1: System Diagram

The system is combined from two units:

1) Main Unit Cabinet - Placed inside the ship’s bridge (or close by it).
Weight 120 Kg
Dimensions 600 x 600 x 1680 mm
2) PMC (protective Memory Capsule) - Mounted on the external deck where it can be easily
retrieved.
Weight 40.5 Kg
Dimensions (including base) 431 x 300 x 350 mm
PMC Base weight 3.5 Kg
PMC Base dimensions 298 x 236 x 100 mm

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Power Supply for the Main Unit 220 AVC

Power supply to the PMC 3.3 DVC and 5 DVC is supplied from the Main Unit.

2.1. Main Unit Cabinet

The VDR Main Unit consists of a PLC and a PC computer with 15” monitor placed inside a cabinet
(See Fig. No.2). The PLC provides digital and Analog interfaces and is connected to the PC through a
serial port. The PC contains serial, audio and video interfaces. Monitoring of audio (voices on the bridge)
and Video (radar picture) are done using an Audio card
and a Frame Grabber (placed inside the PC). In addition
the Main Unit contains a UPS (Uninterrupted Power
Supply), which can supply power for at least 2 hours, and
an Alarm Panel to alert on missing communication or
signals from the ship’s equipment or on VDR malfunction.
Data (last 12h) is processed and stored both on the hard
drive of the PC (that is an integral part of the Main Unit)
and on the final recording medium inside the PMC (On
Flash Disk). Status of the main items recorded is
constantly displayed on the system’s monitor.

Fig. No. 2: Main Unit Cabinet

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2.2. Protective Memory Capsule (PMC)

The PMC consists of a special storage capsule that

protects the final recording medium, ultrasonic
location beacon, 2 handles and 1 cable connection
socket (See Fig No. 3). The final recording
medium (High Capacity Flash Disk) is mounted on
a small size Single Board Computer (SBC) inside
the capsule. In case of an accident the final
recording medium can be retrieved.

Fig. No. 3: PMC (Protective Memory Capsule)

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3. Operating Instructions

3.1. The Main Screen

Fig. No. 4: VDR Main Screen

The main screen includes a display of the main items that are being monitored (navigational aids,
propulsion and steering), menu options on the screen’s menu bar and a status line on the bottom of the
screen.

The items displayed on the Main Screen are:

First Row (from top left) status of: Bow Thruster – Order and Response
Engine Order
Engine R.P.M – Starboard, Port and Center (the default
display is the Center engine’s R.P.M).

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To select a different engine, click with

the mouse’s right button on the RPM
gauge’s button and select the desired
engine from the pull-down menu)
Second Row Wind - Speed and Direction
Gyro Heading
Log Speed
Rudder Angle – Starboard and Port (the default
display is the Starboard’s rudder
angle). To select a different rudder,
click with the mouse’s right button on
the Rudder gauge’s button and select
the desired rudder from the pull-down
menu)

Third Row Data from the GPS – Navigation Mode of the GPS,
Latitude, Longitude, UTC,
Heading and Speed
Depth from the Echo Sounder

Note 1: monitored items displayed on the Main Screen can vary based on vessel’s existing
equipment and customer’s request.
Note 2: if some data is not available from the connected equipment (e.g. the device is
switched off or sentences are not correct) N/A is indicated in the corresponding place
on the Main Screen.

There are four pull-down menu options included on the Main Screen:
• File – save non-catastrophic data on the PC’s hard drive and/ or on a CD
• Tools – view the Alarms log, Radar Image, PLC readout, the system’s Configuration,
NMEA Sentences, and check the microphones connections

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• SetUp – configure the system and exit the application

• About – get company information and service contact information

3.2. Alarms Screen

Whenever an alarm condition occures (no communication/no signal problems or system malfunction) the
Alarms Screen will be displayed on the Main Unit’s monitor (see Fig. No.5) and sound and visual
alarm will appear on the Alarm Control Panel.

Fig. No. 5: Alarms Screen

The siren can be silenced by using the acknowledge button on the Main Unit’s cabinet keyboard drawer
(or the button on the Alarms Control Panel located in the bridge - if installed).

This Alarms Screen can be closed by clicking the X button on the upper right hand corner of it or by a
click on any part of the background screen around it. The Alarms Screen can also be dragged to
different locations on the background screen. After all alarms are acknowledged the Alarms Screen
closes automatically but the list of alarms can be viewed by selecting the Alarms Log option from the
Tools pull-down menu of the Main Screen (See Sec. 3.5.1), or by double clicking the Alarms on the
Main Screen’s status line.

The alarms can be sorted by Tag Number, Time or Sensor by clicking the desired column heading on the
Alarms Screen.

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3.3. Menu Options

To use the menu options unlock the Main Unit cabinet’s door and use the keyboard and mouse to select
the desired option. Some of the options from the pull down menus are restricted to authorized persons
only, requiring a username and a password before they can be accessed.

3.3.1. Password Dialog

Selecting any of the options that require an authorization will display the Password Dialog window on
the screen (See Fig. No.6). You have to type a user name and a password in the appropriate boxes (the
typed username will be displayed in the box while the password will not be echoed on the screen) and
click the OK button (Hint: the Tab button can be used to move from one field to the other and the Enter
button can be used for OK). If both username and password are correct, authorization to enter the
selected option will be granted.

Fig. No. 6: Password Dialog Window

Each authorized user has a unique password for him to log into the system. An authorized user can
change his own password to a new one using the Access Setup option from the SetUp pull-down menu
of the Main Screen (See Sec. 3.6). The allowed usernames are; “Master” and “SUPT” and the initial
Password is given to the owner by the commissioning engineer.

3.4. File Menu – Main Screen

The File Menu of the Main Screen includes the following option:
• Save Non-Catastrophic events: Save selected data on the computer’s hard drive or on a CD.

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To save selected recorded data, unlock the Main Unit cabinet’s door and using the keyboard and/or the
mouse select the Save non-catastrophic event option from the File pull-doun menu. The system will
display the Save Non-catastrophic Events screen (Fig. No.7) for you to select the saving destination
(e.g. the computer’s hard drive or a CD), desired type of data (e.g. Audio, Radar or Others) and the time
period to be saved (Note that the system saves one hour periods at a time – e.g. data from the second
hour, seventh hour, etc.).

Fig. No. 7: Save Non-Catastrophic Events Screen

Click to mark the desired hour under the data type you wish to save, select the destination from the Save
File tab and click the OK button. The data will be writen on the CD (if the CD drive destination was
selected), or in the D:\VDR DATA\BACKUP directory on the computer’s hard drive. Note that if the
selected destination is a CD, a formated CD must be inserted into the CD-R drive. To close the Save
Non Catastrophic Events screen without saving a file click the Cancel button.

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Note that while the data saving is in progress all recording of the monitored items (except for audio) is
susspended (IMO regulation allows recording to be susspended for up to 10 minutes at a time).

To delete a file previously saved on the computer’s hard drive, click the Delete Files tab (Fig.No.8) and
select the desired file/directory to be deleted (files previously saved on a CD cannot be deleted). The
system displays the file size and the remaining available space on the hard drive.

Fig. No. 8: Deleting files

To delete the selected file click the OK button. Note that only files saved in the D:\VDR
DATA\BACKUP directory can be deleted

To close the Save Non Catastrophic Events screen click the X button on the upper right hand corner or
click the Cancel button to close the screen without deleting the file.

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To view (replay) any of the files saved on the computer’s hard drive, copy the data file on a CD and
transfer it to another computer where the Replay program is installed

3.5. Tools Menu – Main Screen

The Tools Menu of the Main Screen includes the following options:
• Alarm Log – displays in a tabular form all active alarms
• Radar Image Viewer - displays the images coming in from the radar
• PLC Readout – displays all the information the system reads from the PLC
• Initial Configuration – displays the system configuration screens as created during the
installation of the system
• NMEA Sentences - displays the data coming in from the serial inputs
• Microphone Check – performs a communication test for all the microphons included in
the system

3.5.1. Alarm Log

Select this option to view all the alarm conditions currently active. The time, sensor and description of
the alarm situation are displayed in a tabular form on this Alarms Screen.

To close the Alarms Screen click the X button on the upper right hand corner.

3.5.2. Radar Image Viewer

Select this option to view the images coming in from the radar. Note that radar images are being recorded
every 15 seconds. The image viewer can be resized, dragged to a different location on the background
screen or maximized.

To close the viewer click the X on the upper right corner.

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3.5.3. PLC Readout

This option displays all the information the system reads from the Siemens PLC (information such as:
watertight doors status, hull opening status, alarms etc.). Choose between Digital Alarms, Analog Values
and inputs from the Transducers (either digital or Analog) by marking the desired option’s radio button
(See Fig. No. 9) in the Showing selection box on the top of the screen.

Fig. No. 9: PLC Read Out Screen

To close the screen click the X button on the upper right hand corner.

3.5.4. Initial Configuration

The configuration screens (as created during installation) can only be viewed by authorized personnel
(user name and password required) but not updated.

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The System Configuration Screen includes two lines of tabs to navigate between the various
configuration screens (See Fig. No.10). To view the configuration information click the desired tab and
that configuration screen will be displayed.

Fig. No. 10: System Configuration Information Screen

The configuration tabs include:

1. VDR Display tab – displays the items monitored by the system and the ones selected to be displayed
on the VDR Main Screen

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2. About tab – displays the type approval authority and reference, IMO vessel identification number, the
software version(s) used, date and time – from which source obtained, ship’s position – from which
EFFS obtained, date and time of last amendment and Totem Plus system’s serial number.
3. General Info tab – displays the number of serial ports in the system, the number of Analog channels,
the number of digital signals, the number of radars, the number of transducers, the number of
microphones and the number of VHF channels.
4. Transducers tab – displays the channel and description of each transducer in the system.

Fig. No. 10(a): System Configuration Information Screen – Transducers Tab

5. Radar tab – provides information such as make, model, timing and location of each radar the system
is connected to.

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6. Audio tab – displays port allocation, type of audio equipment connected to it (microphone or VHF),
microphone number and locations and which VHF(s) is recorded.

Fig. No. 10(b): System Configuration Information Screen – Audio Tab

7. Serial communication tab – displays which equipment is supplying recorded data, its make, model
and location as well as port allocation.
8. Digital Input tab – displays the source of the digital input (water tight doors, etc.), its make and/or
model, electrical signal type and port allocation.
9. Analog input tab – displays the source of the input, its make and/or model and its location, electrical
signal type and the channel number receiving that input.

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Fig. No. 10(c): System Configuration Information Screen – Analog Inputs Tab

10. Analog calibration tab – displays the measured values for the calibration of the Analog inputs.

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Fig. No. 10(d): System Configuration Information Screen – Analog Calibration Tab

11. Ports tab – provides information about the setup of the system, port connection (com. no.) and their
setup values (checksum, check time, baud rate, etc.).

3.5.5. NMEA Sentences

This option enables to view the input (in the form of NMEA sentences) the VDR system recives from the
serial sensors/devices.

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3.5.6. Microphone Check

A communication test of all the microphons connected to the VDR System is automatically performed
by the system twice a day. To perform additional microphone checks (besides the automatic ones
performed by the system) select this option from the Tools pull-down menu of the Main Screen.

Whenever a problem with one of the microphones is detected (no signal), an alarm is sounded and a “No
communication” message is being displayed on the Alarms Screen.

3.6. SetUp Menu – Main Screen

The SetUp Menu of the Main Screen includes the following options:
• Access Setup
• Exit Application
• Shut Down The System

3.6.1. Access Setup

While user names are permanent (Master, Choff, 2ndoff), passwords can be changed using this Access
Setup menu option. To enter the setup screen you must first identify yourself with a valid user name and
password (See Password Dialog in Sec. 3.3.1). If the username and password are both valid the
Authorize/Change Password Dialog screen is displayed (See fig. No. 11).

Fig. No. 11: Password Changing Dialog Screen

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To change the password, fill in the three fields: the Username, the new Password and verification of that
new password (type again the newly selected password to ensure that no mistake was done when typing).
If the new password and verification are not exactly the same, or if a user is trying to change a different
user’s password without authorization, an error message will be given and the change will not take
effect. Note that only the master can change passwords to other users, but each user can assign and/or
change his own password.

Click the OK button to save the new password and close the screen.

Click the Cancel button to close the screen without changing the password.

3.6.2. Exit Application

Selecting the Exit Application item of the SetUp menu will close the application prompting you to
confirm the closure of the VDR System. Secure Desk Top screen will be available to start the system
again. Select the BlackBox application and use the initial Master’s username and password to restart the
system.

3.6.3. Shut Down The System

In those situations where it is known that the system will be without main power for more then 2 hours,
or that the VDR System can be switched off acording to the IMO regulations, use the Shut Down
option of the SetUp menu. After the system completes the sut down process, a massage “It is now safe to
turn off your computer” will be displayed and short beeps from the UPS will bw heard. Switch off the
UPS pressing and holding down its power button for 3-5 seconds (use the same tecnique to turn the
system back on). Note that if the UPS will not be switched off within 15 seconds the system will restart
automatically.

3.7. About Menu – Main Screen

This option displays the software’s version number and date and Totem Plus contact information.

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4. Replay of saved data

Data saved using the Save Non-Catastrophic Events option from the File menu of the Main Screen
can be displayed on a separate computer - not connected to the VDR System - using the Replay VDR
Software provided with Totem VDR system (to view the data the files have to be saved on a CD – See
Sec. 3.4 for a description of that option).

To use the Replay software copy the folder from the Replay CD to the computer’s hard drive. Open the
directory – the one you copied the Replay programm files into – and double click the file vdr_replay.exe
(to make it more convenient in the future you can create a shortcut to the file or use the Run option from
the Windows Start button). The VDR Replay Screen will be displayed with the Data Directory
window open on top of it (See Fig. No.12).

Select the VDR DATA directory of the saved files to be replayed by double clicking the directories on
the list until you see the desired VDR Data directory (double click on it as well to see the directories
inside it) and then click the OK button. Note that each VDR DATA directory must have the same
structure of:
- VDR DATA
- Data
- Audio
- Other
- Radar
- Def
and that each VDA DATA directory contains an hour long of saved data (radar and/or audio and/or
navigation information – whichever configuration was saved on the CD).

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Fig. No. 12: Data directory Screen

4.1. VDR Replay Main Screen

The VDR Replay Main Screen includes a Time Selection window, menu options on the screen’s menu
bar and a status line on the bottom of the screen (See Fig. No.13).

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Fig. No. 13: VDR Replay Software’s Main Screen

There are two pull-down menu options included on the VDR Replay Main Screen:
• File – select and open data files, view the VDR System configuration and exit the Replay
application
• Setup – setup parameters for the display of the radar file and the navigation info files and
select navigation data directory

Use the Main Menu to choose whether to view radar files, listen to audio channels or analyze
navigational info. Data can be replayed individually i.e. Radar picture, Navigational data or Voice

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(Audio) as a stand-alone item or it can be replayed simultaneously when using the Radar Picture
screen.

Note that when choosing to view radar files the system performs sorting of the files before opening the
Time Selection screen. Click the OK button on the Sorting pop-up window to start the process and
then click the OK button again when the sorting is completed.

4.2. File Menu – Replay Main Screen

The File Menu of the Replay Main Screen includes the following options:
• Open Data Files – select which data file (Navigation Info, Radar Picture or Voice) to
open for replay
• Show Configuration File – display the System Configuration Screens of the VDR system
the replay data was saved from
• Exit – exit the Replay application

To replay/view saved data files, select a channel (Radar picture, Voice, or Navigational Info.) from the
Time Selection window of the Replay Main Screen and then click the Select Initial Time button
below it, or choose the desired file type from the Open Data Files option of the File menu. The
appropriate Time Selection screen will open up with a list of all saved files in a tabular form.

To view the configuration of the VDR System the saved files where recorded on select the Show
Configuration File option from the File menu ( See Sec. 3.5.4 for more details on the VDR
configuration screens).

To quit the Replay VDR application select the Exit option from the File manu.

4.3. Setup Menu – Replay Main Screen

The Setup Menu of the Replay Main Screen includes the following options:
• Setup File – select the navigation and radar display parameters

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• Select Data Directory – select directory of saved files to be replayed

4.3.1. Setup File

To select which navigation parameters will be displayed and whether or not the system will beep evey
time a new radar image is displayed, use this option of the Setup menu. The Setup Screen which
includes a Navigation and a Radar tab as well as some buttons will be displayed.

Select the Navigation tab (See Fig. No.14(a)) to mark, in the Show column, the navigation information
parameters to be displayed in both the Navigation Data table, displayed

Fig. No. 14(a): Replay Setup Screen – Navigation Tab

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along with the radar picture (See Sec. 4.4) and in the NMEA ports table, displayed when a navigation
information file is opened from the Time Selection screen (See Sec 4.5). Click the desired parameters to
mark or to unmark them or use the Select All and the Clear All butons to select/deselect all parameters
at once. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

Select the Radar tab (See Fig. No.14(b)) and mark the Beep or Do Not Beep option in the Beep When
Changing Radar Screen selection box. If the Beep option is selected a single beep sound will be heard
each time the system displays a new saved radar image on the Radar Picrure screen. Click the OK
button on the bottom of the screen to apply your setting.

Fig. No. 14(b): Replay Setup Screen – Radar Tab

Click the Yes button on the Warning pop-up window (See Fig. No.15) to confirmed this operation, the
No button to return to the Setup screen for more changes and the Cancel button to close the Setup
screen without modifying the existing setup configuration.

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Fig. No. 15: Warning pop-up Window

4.3.2. Select Data Directory

Use this option from the Setup pull-down menu to select another VDR Data directory of the saved files
to be replayed. The Data Directory screen is displayed (See Fig.12) with a list of all avaiable data
directories. Double click the directories on the list until you see the desired VDR Data directory (double
click on it as well to see the directories inside it) and then click the OK button.

4.4. Time Selection Screen – Radar Pictures

When the Radar Picrure is selected from the Main Screen and the sorting of the radar files is
completed, the system displays the Time Selection screen with a list of all available radar files in that
VDR DATA directory (See Fig. No.16).

On the left side of the screen the drive letter (e.g. C, E, etc.) is displayed with the directory tree, the data
file type and the file’s time stemp below it. To return to the Replay Main Screen click the Cancel
button.

Use the arrows on the right side of the table to scroll through the list of radar files to the desired one.
Double click on it to display that radar image or select the file and then click the Show Single View
button. The system displays the Radar Picture screen with the selected

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Fig. No. 16: Radar Time Selection Screen

radar image along with the date and time the image was recorded on displayed at the top of the screen
(See Fig. No. 17).

The Radar Picture screen includes the following menu options:

• File – select various display options for the radar images.
• View – hide or display the buttons toolbox.
• Zoom – zoom the image on the screen in or out.

All the menu options are also available on action buttons located in a toolbox below the pull-down
menus (either method can be used to activate the screen functions). To hide the toolbox, click View and
then click the Tool Box option from the pull-down menu to unmark it. To display the toolbox, click the
Tool Box option again to mark it.

Radar pictures can be a viewed manually or automatically by clicking the Manual or Auto buttons
respectively, or by selecting Manual – Show Radar Files one at a time and Automatic sequential

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replay of Radar Files from the File pull-down menu (Note that the default setting for replaying the
radar pictures in Manual).

Fig. No. 17: Radar Picture Screen

While in Manual mode, change pictures by clicking the Next and the Previews buttons or by selecting
Show Next Radar File and Show Previous Radar File from the File pull-down menu. In automatic
replay mode the picture is automatically changed every 15 sec. To speed up the display (fast forward the
radar image files), enter the desired time interval (1,2,3, etc. seconds between displayed images) in the
Auto Interval edit box to the left of the Auto button (note that the next image will still take 15 seconds
to display, but starting with the image that follows it, the time interval between the images will be
adjusted according to the value entered).

Click the magnifying glass symbol buttons to zoom the displayed radar image in or out (the firs click on
the one with the + sign enlarges the image by 200% and the second click by 400%. Clicking the button

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with the – sign reverses the process). Alternatively you can use the Zoom In and the Zoom Out options
from the Zoom pull-down menu.

Using the Radar Screen options audio files can be played simultaneously and navigation information
can be displayed at the same time that the radar pictures are being displayed (note that the Manual
display of radar files must be selected to enable these options).

To play a saved audio file click the megaphone symbol button or select Replay Voice File from the File
pull-down menu. Select the desired microphone number from the pull-down list of available
microphones and the system will display the Time Selection screen with a list of all available audio files
(See Fig. No.19). Proceed as described in Sec. 4.6 and the system will display the Voice Replay window
(See Fig. No.20) on top of the Radar Picture screen. This window can be dragged to different location
on the background screen and it can be closed, stopping the replaying of the audio file, by clicking the X
button at the upper right corner of it.

To view the corresponding navigation information click the Nav. Data button or select Show
Navigation Data Information from the File pull-down menu. Once selected, the system displays a one-
line table with all available navigation information. Use the arrows at the bottom of the table to scroll
through all it’s columns (to select which data columns to display use the Setup option from the Replay’s
Main Screen. See Sec. 4.3.1 for details). Once the navigation information is displayed, the Prev. Data
and Next Data buttons become enabled as well as the Show Next Navigation Data File and Show
Previous Navigation Data File options from the File pull-down menu. Use those to manually go
through the saved navigation information data files. If Auto button is now selected the system
automatically moves between the files matching the time of the radar files with the times of the
navigation information files.

4.5. Time Selection Screen – Navigation Data

When the Navigation Info is selected from the Main Screen, the system displays the Time Selection
screen with a list of all available navigation data files in that VDR DATA directory (See Fig. No.18(a)).
On the left side of the screen the drive letter (e.g. C, E, etc.) is displayed with the directory tree, the data

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file type and the file’s time stemp below it. To return to the Replay Main Screen click the Cancel
button.

Fig. No. 18(a): Navigation Info Time Selection Screen

Use the arrows on the right side of the table to scroll through the list of navigation data files to the
desired one. Double click on it to display that file’s information or select the file and then click the Open
As Table button. The system displays the navigation information in a table (See Fig. No. 18(b)).

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Fig. No. 18(b): Navigation Info Data Screen

Switch between the various information tables - NMEA ports information, VDR Alarms, PLC –
Digital Input and PLC – Analog Input - by marking the desired option in the first selection box. Use
the selection box below it to select whether to Show All available information for each table or Show
Updated Rows Only?

To view the alarms recorded by the VDR system (other than the VDR Alarms) click the Alarms button
on the lower right hand corner of the screen and the system will display the Alarms screen with a list of
the alarms, their time of occurrence, their description and condition.

Click the Exit button to close the information screen.

4.6. Time Selection Screen – Audio

When the Voice option is selected from the Main Screen, the system displays the Time Selection screen
with the first available audio file in that VDR DATA directory (See Fig. No.19). On the left side of the
screen the drive letter (e.g. C, E, etc.) is displayed with the directory tree, the data file type and the file’s
time stemp below it. To return to the Replay Main Screen click the Cancel button.

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Fig. No. 19: Audio time Selection Screen

Select the sub-directory that contains the saved audio files from the microphon you would like to play by
double clicking on the sub-directory number, 1,2,3 or 4, to display the list of files in it (sub-directory 1
contains files recorded from microphones 1 and 2, sub-directory 2 contains files recorded from
microphone 3 and 4, etc.). Use the arrows on the right side of the table to scroll through the list of audio
files to the desired one. Double click on it to play it or select the file and then click the Play This Record
button. The system displays a Voice Replay window with play control buttons and verious counters (See
Fig. No. 20). The saved audio files can be played using this build in player or outside the Replay
application using any other Windows mp3 player. Note that each audio file is 6 minuts long and the
system plays one audio file at a time. To play more than one audio file select the first file to be played
and then hold down the Shift key on the keyboard while selecting the additional files from the list. Click
the Play This Record button and the system will display the Voice Replay window with the acumulated
files time in the Length of File counter field.

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Fig. No. 20: Voice Replay window

Click the X button at the upper right corner of the window to close it.

5. Time Correlation
All the saved recorded files are standard Windows files and can be played using a proper Windows
media player. The file names consists of eight digits and numbers in which the system time of the file
creation is coded. All the time stamps in the system are created according to the system clock of the
VDR Main Unit. To find out the time offset of the system clock to the GPS UTC time or to the Master
Clock on playing of Navigational Data, calculate the difference between them.

To retrieve the time stamp from a file name use the following rules:
H XXXX DMY
H – hour in 24-hour format;
D – day of the month;
M – month;
Y – the last digit of the year

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To decode a parameter presented by a letter use table 1:

A →10 B →11 C→12 D→13 E →14 F →15 G→16 H →17 I →18 J →19 K →20
L →21 M →22 N→23 O→24 P →25 Q→26 R →27 S →28 T →29 U →30 V →31
Table. No. 1. Geting Digits from Letters

The four ‘X’ that were left are a hexadecimal number in which the minutes, seconds and tens of seconds
are coded. Use the Windows Scientific Calculator to decode these values.

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6. Installation

6.1. Location of the PMC

Fig. No. 21: PMC Attachment

The Protective Memory Capsule (PMC) should be sited in the vicinity of the bridge on the external
deck area of the vessel so as to maximize the probability of its recovery following an incident. The PMC
should be positioned clear of rigging and other potential obstructions and as near to the ship’s centerline
as practically possible. The connecting cable from the VDR Main Unit to the PMC contains both
Ethernet and Power Supply. The capsule should be installed at least 5 meter away from the magnetic
compass.

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When assessing the optimum position of the PMC the following points should be considered:
a) Separation from fuel or other potential fire sources.
b) Separation from probable sources of mechanical damage.
c) Operational environment for continued serviceability.
d) Accessibility for copying of recorded data and for routine maintenance.
e) Facilitation for underwater removal and retrieval by both divers and ROV’s. There should be a clear
unobstructed space in the vicinity of the capsule to allow an ROV or diver to work.
f) Minimization of cable distance to the Main Unit.

6.2. Capsule installation

1. Put the capsule at the relevant place.
2. The base should be bolted (use 4 x 15mm screws) according to Dimension Diagram of the capsule.
3. Connect the cable to the capsule. Note that while you are connecting the cable the handles are at
unlocking position.

6.3. Location of the Main Unit

To avoid unacceptable deviation of the ships standard and steering compasses the VDR Main Unit
should be installed not closer than the compass-safe distance. The compass-safe distance for the standard
compass is 285 cm. The compass-safe distance for the steering compass is 165 cm.

6.4. Main Unit Installation

1. Open the cover of the Totem Plus VDR Main Unit when it is standing.
2. Put it at the relevant place on the ship.
3. Bolt the bottom of the unit to the floor (use 4 x 15mm screw) according
to the Dimension Diagram of the bottom.
4. Connect the upper part of the unit to the wall (Use 6 x 15mm screws) according to the Dimension
Diagram of the upper part.
5. If it makes the wiring work easier it is possible to take off the walls of the unit.

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6.5. Location of the microphones

Microphones should be placed in the bridge work-stations (bridge work-stations: positions at which a
person is expected to be when performing one of the normal bridge duties). In general, the following
work-stations should be considered.
• center line conning
• bridge wing(s)
• main radar
• chart table
• helmsman
• communication

6.6. Location of the alarm panel

The VDR Main Unit is designed to be in a place from which the vessel is normally navigated (Ship’s
Bridge). The Alarm Panel is located on the front of the Main Unit.
In the case that the VDR Main Unit is not placed on the bridge than a separate Alarm Unit is provided.
This Alarm Unit should be placed on the Bridge.

6.7. Setup of the Audio Card

To setup the Audio Card open the Audio Card Control Panel. Adjust the recording level of the
microphones and of the VHF channels using maximum available level without clipping effect (The red
radio button above the slider should not appear except for short times). Be sure that the VHF is active
when making the adjustment (See Fig. 22).

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Fig. No. 22: Setup of the recording level

The Settings of the Audio Card is shown on Fig.23 (below):

Fig. No. 23: Settings of the Audio Card

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6.8. Setup of the Video Grabber

To setup the Video Grabber run the captest.exe application. Select the Configure the Video Source
from the Options pull-down menu (See Fig.24(a)). Detect timing. In case that the timing is not detected
properly, check the specification of the radar and put the parameters manually.

Fig. No. 24(a): Settings of the Video Grabber

Calibrate the Digitizer (See Fig.24(b)):

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Fig. No. 24(b): Settings of the Video Grabber

Save the timing to the hard disk (See Fig.25(c)).

Fig. No. 25(c): Settings of the Video Grabber

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Set the Video format as shown on Fig.25(d):

Fig. No. 25(d): Settings of the Video Grabber

Close the captest.exe application.

6.9. Installation of optical isolators for NMEA

If the Totem VDR is a multiple listener on a NMEA channel, ADAM 4510S optical isolator should be
installed. The DIN rail for this purpose is underneath the NMEA terminals of the serial card.

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7. Fault Finding

7.1. Power supply alarm

Acknowledge the alarm. Check if it is an overall shut down or only for the Voyage Data Recorder Unit.
In case of a general shut down, wait for the power to be restored. In case of specific power failure to the
VDR check power connection to the VRD Main Unit.

7.2. Record Function

Acknowledge the alarm, check the Ethernet connection. Ethernet is in the VDR Main Unit and only
authorized persons are allowed to open the Main Unit.

7.3. Microphone functionality

Acknowledge the alarm. On the main screen the microphone, which is not functioning, the microphone
No.is shown . Check connections to the Microphone.

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8. Maintenance

8.1. Instructions for downloading and verification of the final recording medium data
Whenever maintenance or repair on the VDR or changing of a sensor is carried out, it is required that a
one-hour file of each channel (Radar, Audio, Navigation) is saved. Replay the data with the Replay
Software, check if all items were recorded.

8.2. Maintenance tasks to be carried out once a year

Open all the connections in the VDR Main Unit clean the connectors and refasten. After performing this
task, operate the VDR and carry out the check specified in 7.1?

8.3. Maintenance tasks to be carried out once per five years

Switch off the system. Open the UPS. Be careful not to damage the wires going from the cover. Change
the battery and mount the UPS. Start the system. Be sure that the main power is applied at list ten hours
after the change. Check if the system is working under reserve power for 1 hour 50 min. Restore the
main power. Be aware that after 2h on the reserve power the system will shut down automatically. If this
is the case, start the system after restoring the main power.

8.4. Spare Parts

Parts box includes the following:
• 1 x Ceiling mounting microphone.
• 4 x Cabinet shelf shock absorber.

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9. Appendix A - Technical Data and Drawings

9.1. Main Unit Cabinet:

• PC with data acquisition electronics

• 15” Monitor
• UPS 220V (min. 2 hours)

Dimensions: 19” rack

600 x 600 x 1680mm
Weight: 120kg
C.G.: 924mm from bottom
IP: 22
Material: Decopirt 2mm
Paint: Light Grey, 7035 Textura
Power supply: 220V / 300VA (110V optional upon request)

9.2. Protective Memory Capsule:

• 12 hours storage capacity

• Acoustic underwater location beacon
• 2Gb flash disk

Dimensions: L: 431mm (including handles and connecting sockets)

W: 300mm
H: 350mm (including base)
Weight: 44kg
C.G.: 175mm
Material: Steel grade S 235 JR G2 (1.0038)
Paint: Highly visible fluorescent orange color
Power supply: 3.3V DC, 5V DC (dual power supply) internal supply from Main Unit

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Interface: Ethernet

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