The Maritime Black Box (MBB) project was carried out under the Fourth Framework Programme of the European Commission's Directorate General for Transport (DGVII- Waterborne). The overall objectives of the project are to contribute to ongoing international efforts (International Maritime Organisation, European Union, International Electrotechnical Commission) to specify the requirements and performance standards to be achieved for the Voyage Data Recorders (VDR). This will involve: European skills in maritime domains; proposing a legal framework for the implementation of the VDR; preparing technical specifications of requirements for the VDR; and developing a technological demonstrator of the MBB. The MBB, 100% compliant with the future Performance Standards for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorders recommended by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and scheduled to come into force firstly in Europe as from January 1, 2001, will also provide a helpful tool for seafarer training and practising thereby enhancing passenger safety and environment protection. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.
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