Voyage Data Recorder (SVDR)
FURUNO Electric Co., Ltd.
Refurbished
Manufacturer: FURUNO Electric Co., Ltd.
Country of Origin: Japan
Model: VR-3010 / VR-3010S depending on system configuration
Equipment Type: Data Collecting Unit (DCU) for Voyage Data Recorder / Simplified Voyage Data Recorder
System Family: FURUNO VR-3000 / VR-3000S
Marine Application: Collection, processing, backup and recording of ship navigation, bridge audio, VHF communication, radar and vessel-status information.
The equipment in the supplied photograph is from the FURUNO VR-3000/VR-3000S VDR family, with the cabinet opened to show the internal Data Collecting Unit hardware and associated protected Data Recording Unit/capsule. FURUNO's official support information identifies the VR3010 as a component of the VR3000 system and the VR3010S for the VR3000S. Both systems are now legacy products.
The FURUNO VR-3010 Data Collecting Unit forms the processing center of the earlier FURUNO VR-3000 series Voyage Data Recorder architecture.
A VDR or S-VDR continuously records critical information generated on the bridge and by connected navigation systems. Its purpose is comparable to an aircraft flight recorder: following a marine casualty, investigators can retrieve recorded information and reconstruct important events.
FURUNO states that the basic VR-3000/VR-3000S architecture consists of a Data Collecting Unit (DCU), Data Recording Unit (DRU), Remote Alarm Panel and bridge microphones. The DCU contains the processor, interface modules and backup batteries.
The VR-3010 is not simply the orange protective VDR capsule. It is the Data Collecting Unit responsible for receiving information from multiple shipboard systems, processing that information in chronological order and transferring the required data to recording media.
Depending on the vessel and VDR/S-VDR configuration, recorded information can include navigation and vessel-status data, bridge conversations, VHF communications and radar images. FURUNO explains that the DRU's flash memory stores the data received from the DCU, while the protective capsule is designed to preserve recorded data after an accident.
This distinction is important when sourcing spare parts:
VR-3010 = Data Collecting Unit
VR-3016 = Remote Alarm Panel
VR-5011 / VR-3012W = Bridge microphone equipment
VR-5020 = Fixed Data Recording Unit in applicable configurations
FURUNO's current legacy support listing confirms these components within the VR3000/VR3000S family.
The system continuously processes incoming data and overwrites older information as part of its cyclic recording process.
FURUNO's original VR-3000/VR-3000S documentation specifies 12 hours of recording under normal sensor loading in standard memory.
In addition to the protected recorder, the architecture incorporates a backup HDD for storage and retrieval. The Remote Alarm Panel's SAVE function is associated with stopping recording to the backup HDD so that relevant information can be preserved.
Bridge microphones continuously provide audio to the recorder. This can preserve conversations, audible alarms and other sounds occurring on the bridge.
Applicable VHF radiotelephone audio is recorded as part of the voyage record.
The VR-3000 family can record radar-image information using the appropriate interface arrangement.
Recorded information is UTC time-tagged to synchronize different data sources and simplify reconstruction during playback.
The DCU contains backup batteries. FURUNO specifies that these batteries maintain bridge-audio recording for two hours following failure of the ship's main power supply.
The DCU is the central processing cabinet.
Inside are the processor, interface electronics, power equipment, backup batteries and data-storage hardware. It receives information from shipboard equipment and prepares it for recording.
The internal arrangement of the user's actual VR-3010 unit can be seen in the photograph above.
The bright orange protective unit is designed to protect critical recorded information following a serious casualty.
The capsule incorporates an underwater acoustic pinger, helping investigators locate it if the vessel sinks.
The VR-3016 RAP provides bridge personnel with VDR status and alarm information.
The operating guide identifies:
SAVE – Yellow
NORMAL – Green
ERROR – Red
The panel also includes TEST, ACK and SAVE controls. ACK silences the alarm buzzer, while TEST checks the display.
FURUNO's component listings include the VR-5011 Bridge Microphone and VR-3012W Waterproof Bridge Microphone for the S-VDR family.
Depending on vessel equipment, interfaces such as the RI-3010 and other compatible interface hardware may be used to provide radar information to the VDR.
The backup hard disk provides an additional source of stored voyage information. Its status is monitored by the system.
The DCU battery system provides emergency power for required recording functions when normal shipboard power is lost.
The FURUNO VR-3000/VR-3000S family was developed for commercial shipboard voyage-data recording.
The recorder may interface with equipment such as:
FURUNO explains that a full VDR and an S-VDR have essentially the same purpose; the major distinction is the amount of information that regulations require each system to record.
The red ERROR indicator means the system has detected an abnormal condition.
First check the error indication/code and inspect the DCU status before replacing any component. Verify power supplies, communication connections, recording media and relevant interfaces.
Under normal operation the green NORMAL LED should be illuminated.
Check:
AC supply → DC supply → breakers → backup system → processor status → internal connections.
FURUNO notes that the yellow SAVE indication is associated with stopped backup-HDD recording and can also illuminate when the backup HDD is disconnected.
Therefore, inspect the HDD and associated connections before assuming a processor failure.
The VR-3000 architecture uses an IEEE 1394 connection between the DCU and DRU.
If capsule communication fails, inspect:
IEEE 1394 cable → connectors → DCU interface → DRU power/communication → recording-unit electronics.
If GPS, gyro, speed-log or echo-sounder data disappears while the recorder remains operational, investigate the individual sensor/interface channel.
Check the source equipment first, followed by wiring, interface hardware and VDR configuration.
Check the radar video/interface unit, cables and VDR input. A functioning radar display does not automatically prove that its VDR recording interface is healthy.
Inspect:
Bridge microphone → microphone cable → audio interface → DCU input → configuration.
Waterproof microphones installed in exposed areas should also be inspected for corrosion or water ingress.
Older VR-3010 units may require attention to the backup battery system.
Check battery age, charging voltage, terminals and battery condition. Replacement should follow the correct FURUNO service specification rather than substituting an arbitrary battery type.
Regular VDR maintenance should include inspection of the VR-3010 DCU, DRU/capsule, Remote Alarm Panel, bridge microphones, radar interface, backup HDD and batteries.
Cooling fans and ventilation openings should be kept clean because the DCU contains continuously operating electronic and storage hardware.
Inspect internal connectors for corrosion or looseness, particularly on older ships exposed to vibration and humid marine environments.
Do not disconnect or replace VDR components without considering the vessel's approved configuration. Following repair or replacement, the affected recording channels should be verified.
The VDR also requires statutory performance verification in accordance with applicable vessel and flag/class requirements.
FURUNO now lists both VR3000 and VR3000S as no longer available, with newer equipment recommended as replacement.
However, many vessels continue to operate these legacy VDR/S-VDR systems.
A complete replacement may require new cabling, microphones, radar interfaces, sensor connections, bridge equipment integration, commissioning and statutory approval. Consequently, repairing an existing installation or sourcing a compatible VR-3010/VR-3010S DCU, VR-3016 alarm panel, VR-5020 DRU, microphone, interface module, HDD or other spare part can remain practical for vessels maintaining an existing system.
The VR-3010 is the Data Collecting Unit used in the FURUNO VR-3000 VDR family. The related VR-3010S is listed for the VR-3000S S-VDR configuration.
No. The VR-3010 is the Data Collecting Unit. The protected Data Recording Unit/capsule is a separate component.
Through the complete VDR system it processes essential voyage information including navigation/status data, bridge conversation, VHF communications and radar images.
It indicates that the VDR has detected an error. The actual cause should be identified from the system status/error information before troubleshooting.
It is associated with backup-HDD recording being stopped; FURUNO also notes that it illuminates if the backup HDD is disconnected.
Yes. FURUNO documentation states that DCU batteries support bridge-audio recording for two hours after loss of the vessel's main power supply.
No. FURUNO currently lists both VR3000 and VR3000S as No Longer Available.
The FURUNO VR-3010 Data Collecting Unit is a central component of the FURUNO VR-3000 Voyage Data Recorder system, with the related VR-3010S used in the VR-3000S Simplified Voyage Data Recorder family. The DCU collects and processes navigation data, bridge/VHF audio, radar information and other vessel data for storage on the VDR recording system. Major associated components include the protected Data Recording Unit, VR-3016 Remote Alarm Panel, bridge microphones, radar interfaces, backup HDD and emergency batteries.
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