The VDR Playback Software Is There. The Procedure That Covers It May Not Be.
Every VDR fitted to a SOLAS vessel is required to…
Category VDR Series
The VDR Series is Vraga Marine’s flagship editorial project — a structured examination of what voyage data recorder audits consistently reveal about bridge team practice across commercial fleets. Based on findings from over 300 VDR navigational audits conducted by Capt. Gaurav Khanna, each article addresses a specific operational area: ECDIS use, radar operation, Master-Pilot Exchange, UKC management, speed in restricted visibility, and more. The series is written for ship managers and DPAs who want to understand what remote assurance actually shows — and what to do about it.
ECDIS in Tidal Ports: The Alarm That Stops Working When You Need It Most
ECDIS in tidal ports does not behave the way it…
The Lookout During Port Approach Is on the Manning Matrix. The VDR Shows Whether Anyone Was Standing It.
The lookout during port approach is the one position on…
When Risk Becomes Routine, the Bridge Goes Quiet
This silence is a symptom — one often associated with…
The First VDR Audit Your Fleet Runs Should Be Announced. Here’s Why.
When a ship manager or DPA decides to start a…
The Anchor Is Down. The VDR Doesn’t Know That.
Most VDR requests I receive cover the port arrival. A…
The VDR Track Shows More Than Where the Pilot Boarded
When I review a VDR audit for a port approach,…
The Radar Is Running. The VDR Shows Whether It’s Doing Its Job.
When I open a VDR review, the radar screenshots are…
When VDR Data Works For You, Not Against You
VDR incident investigation is not a theoretical risk. Every VDR…
Tug Bollard Pull, Ship Fittings, and the Conversation That Doesn’t Happen
The Master Pilot Exchange has a box for tug bollard…
The Master Pilot Exchange: What the VDR Hears, and What Most Ships Leave Unsaid
During a recent VDR audit, I reviewed the port approach…
The Port Approach Is Already on Film. Most Managers Don’t Know It.
Most VDR audits begin and end with a compliance requirement.…