Marine Safety Investigations
Software Applications & Systems







marine casualties and incidents


"Remote Data Link System"

Software Applications & Systems: Marine Data Analytics

Software products and systems which have been designed to ensure that our customers extract the maximum value from their digital marine data. Our current range of products are outlined below (you can click on any of them to get more information):

MAR-DAS (Marine Accident - Remote Data Analysis System).

Designed for use by marine accident investigators who need to extract the maximum information from a range of different sources of data (such as VDR, AIS, ECDIS, VTS etc).

MAR-DCS (Marine Accident - Remote Data Capture System).

Designed to make it easy to gather witness data digitally in the field in a format that enables integration of this data with other data sources for more detailed analysis in the laboratory.

VR-OQA (Voyage - Remote Operations Quality Assurance).

Designed to automatically identify trends or events in routine operation of ships, which if left unchecked will erode safety margins, or result in less economic vessel operation.

VR-DCS (Voyage - Remote Data Capture System).

This system automatically captures extended periods of VDR data, to ensure that data is always available following an incident, and to enable automated processing of data using VR-OQA software.

Productos y sistemas de software que han sido diseñados para garantizar que nuestros clientes extraigan el máximo valor de sus datos marinos digitales. Nuestra gama actual de productos se describe a continuación (puede hacer clic en cualquiera de ellos para obtener más información):

MAR-DAS (Marine Accident - Remote Data Analysis System).

Diseñado para ser utilizado por investigadores de accidentes marítimos que necesitan extraer la máxima información de una variedad de diferentes fuentes de datos (como VDR, AIS, ECDIS, VTS, etc.).

MAR-DCS (Marine Accident - Remote Data Capture System).

Diseñado para facilitar la recopilación digital de datos de testigos en el campo en un formato que permite la integración de estos datos con otras fuentes de datos para un análisis más detallado en el laboratorio.

VR-OQA (Voyage - Remote Operations Quality Assurance).

Diseñado para identificar automáticamente tendencias o eventos en la operación de rutina de los barcos, que si no se controlan, erosionarán los márgenes de seguridad o resultarán en una operación de los buques menos económica.

VR-DCS (Voyage - Remote Data Capture System).

Este sistema captura automáticamente períodos prolongados de datos de VDR, para garantizar que los datos estén siempre disponibles después de un incidente y para permitir el procesamiento automatizado de datos mediante el software VR-OQA.

Marine Accident - Remote DATA Analysis System - [MAR-DAS]

MAR-DAS (Marine Accident - Remote DATA ANALYSIS System).

MAR-DAS enables investigators to fuse digital data from all the available sources to get the complete and accurate picture of what actually happened.

What is MAR-DAS for?

The Marine Accident Remote Data Analysis System (MAR-DAS) was conceived by TecnoGLOBAL in conjunction with the ARG JST to meet the specific requirements of accident investigators. MAR-DAS enables investigators to fuse digital data from all the available sources (e.g. VDR, ECDIS, AIS, VTS, GPS etc) in order to get the complete and accurate picture of what actually happened.

What does MAR-DAS do?

MAR-DAS provides a common toolset to display and replay all available data. So for example, if data related to an incident was available from a coastal AIS system, a VDR and an ECDIS, MAR-DAS enables data from every source to be plotted on a single chart with synchronised replay of audio data.
MAR-DAS is in everyday use worldwide for marine investigations and provides the following unique combination of capabilities:

  • Display the position and track of multiple ships on standard nautical charts using data from one or more sources.

  • Simultaneous replay of audio data from one or more VDRs to enable bridge and radio communications from more than one vessel to be synchronised and monitored.

  • Display of VDR radar images overlaid on a chart, so that the radar position moves with changing ship position.

  • Simultaneous real-time display of relevant navigational parameters such as speed, course, heading, depth and windspeed/direction.

  • Graph multiple parameters vs. time, with cursor interrogation linked to current position of replay on chart.

  • Prediction vector display of ships’ future positions.

  • Accepts input from MAR-DCS witness data capture software – enables comparison of witness estimates and actual ship positions and tracks.

  • Bar and meter gauge displays for engine and rudder-related signals.

  • Configurable alarm and door status information displays.

MAR-DAS replay of VDR data with radar overlay




MAR-DAS replay of AIS and Video Data

Marine Accident - REMOTE DATA CAPTURE System - [MAR-DCS]

MAR-DCS (Marine Accident - Remote DATA CAPTURE Software).

Specifically designed to facilitate the gathering of witness data digitally in the field

What is MAR-DCS for?

Up until now, marine (or other) accident investigators have not had access to a tool which has been specifically designed to facilitate the gathering of witness data digitally in the field in a format that makes it easy to integrate this data with other data sources for more detailed analysis in the laboratory.Marine Accident Remote Data Capture Software (MAR-DCS) has been designed and developed in collaboration with ARG-JST to meet these requirements. "MARINE REMOTE DATA LINK" have designed MAR-DCS to run on laptop/tablet PCs, enabling easier use in the field.

What does MAC-DCS do?

Up until now, marine (or other) accident investigators have not had access to a tool which has been specifically designed to facilitate the gathering of witness data digitally in the field in a format that makes it easy to integrate this data with other data sources for more detailed analysis in the laboratory.
Marine Accident Remote Data Capture (MAR-DCS) software has been designed and developed in collaboration with ARG JST to meet these requirements. "MARINE REMOTE DATALINK" have designed MAR-DCS to run on laptop/tablet PCs, enabling easier use in the field.


MAR-DCS estimated route entry screen

MAR-DCS Main Features:

MAR-DCS provides facilities to –

  • Input information in the field (such as witness statements with ship’s estimated position information, audio recordings, videos, and/or photos/other images) linked to specific locations (and times) on the chart.

  • Plot ships’ positions/tracks on charts (based upon the witness statements) – facilitating on-site review with witnesses.

  • Store the data in a format which is compatible with Marine Accident Remote Data Analysis System (MAR-DAS), to enable integration and replay of the data in the laboratory with data from other digital data sources (such as VDR data).

Voyage - Remote - Operations Quality Assurance - [VR-OQA]


VR-OQA (Voyage Remote Operations Quality Assurance).

Identifies potential problems before the next incident can take place.

Do you want to proactively manage the safety risks and improve the efficiency of your ship operations?


– if so, then you will be interested in VR-OQATo proactively manage your safety margins, an approach is required which can identify potential problems before the next incident can take place …

Overview of the VR-OQA Process

How does VR-OQA enable Proactive Safety Management?

VR-OQA (Voyage Remote Operations Quality Assurance) software is designed to automatically spot events and trends in the operation of your ship which can lead to reduced safety margins or increased operating costs. VR-OQA provides a highly cost effective way to monitor operational performance, and identify any pre-emptive actions required to ensure that safety margins are maintained or enhanced.
The events monitored by VR-OQA can relate to activity anywhere on the ship, and are not just limited to actions taken on the bridge.
One of the main sources of data for VR-OQA is normally the Voyage Remote Data Recorder (VDR). This SOLAS-compliant device ensures a high standard of qualification, certification and performance, and it provides a comprehensive record of the activity of various ship systems. However, all too often VDRs have been found not to have been fully operational when an incident has occurred. VR-OQA analysis can also confirm that your VDR is operating correctly every day, so that you can be assured of complying with the mandatory carraige requirements, and also ensuring that data is available if the ship ever was involved in an incident
To ensure the widest range of monitoring capability, VR-OQA also accepts data from other sources. VR-OQA software will quickly process large amounts of data, for multiple vessels, and provide simple-to-interpret interactive reports which are far beyond the capabilities of conventional VDR replay software.
VR-OQA will automatically pinpoint key events in your data, and so ensure that you can take whatever actions are necessary to reduce their future occurrence. Emerging problems can be detected, and the effectiveness of any previous actions can be reviewed (and further actions taken if required) – as shown in the diagram below. This on-going refinement process ensures a continual enhancement of the safety and efficiency of the underlying operations which are being monitored.

Voyage Remote Data Capture System - [VR-DCS]

VR-DCS (Marine Accident - Remote DATA CAPTURE System).

Ensures that VDR Data is always available

Have you lost VDR data following an incident?

The IMO specification for Voyage Data Recorders only requires that data is stored for 12 hours before it is overwritten. As a result, you will often find that your VDR data has been overwritten before it can be saved or downloaded following an incident. In such cases you won’t have any data to analyse in order to determine the cause of the incident, and ensure that lessons are learnt from the incident.

How does VR-DCS ensure that data is available?

MARINE REMOTE DATA LINK = VDR Remote Data Capture System (VR-DCS) is designed to interface to a range of different VDR types, and provide extended recording facilities. Once installed, the VR-DCS will automatically maintain a backup of your VDR data. The amount will depend on the configuration of both the VDR and VR-DCS, but typically it should always retain at least the last 90 days’ VDR data.

How easy is it to fit VR-DCS?

The VR-DCS is based around ruggedised PC components, and is very easy to install (it only requires power, and a single connection to the VDR). It also doesn’t require any operator interaction under normal operation. The costs of purchasing, installing, and operating a VR-DCS are all therefore very low.






Summary of VR-DCS Benefits

  • Ensures that VDR Data is always available

  • Provides easy access to VDR data following incidents

  • Enables proactive safety management when used in conjunction with VR-OQA software.

Marine Data Analysis - SERVICES

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires that passenger ships and non-passenger ships over 3.000 gross tonnes on international voyages must now be fitted with either Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs), or Simplified Voyage Data Recorders (S-VDRs). In addition, all modern ships are also fitted with a wide range of other systems (ECDIS, GPS, machinery monitoring systems etc) which are automatically acquiring and storing huge amounts of digital data on a continuous basis, and may also be complemented by similar shore-based systems (such as VTS, AIS etc).

This digital data contains a wealth of information about the ships’ positions, operations, alarm states, communications, weather conditions etc.. Because of the quantity of data, different data formats and time references etc, extracting value from all this digital data can often be extremely challenging. This is where MARINE DATA LINK's expertise can help – we have developed a range of systems and services to ensure that you can get the maximum value from your data, and we have considerable experience with a wide range of customers, including :

  • Shipping companies

  • Protection and Indemnity (P&I) - Clubes & Insurers.-

  • Flag State Authorities

  • National Accident Investigators

  • Enforcement Authorities

  • Marine Consultancies

Typically applications involve;

Establishing and visualising what actually happened during an incident or accident – so that lessons can be learnt and appropriate actions taken to avoid repeat incident/accidents occurring.

Automated routine analysis of data to detect events which are known precursors to accident or incidents – so that actions can be taken to increase operational safety.

Automated routine analysis of data to detect performance-related trends in the data – so that actions can be taken to make operation more economic and so save money.

Based upon this experience, MARINE DATA LINK have developed a range of standard systems and services for marine data analysis.

El Convenio internacional para la seguridad de la vida humana en el mar (SOLAS) exige que los buques de pasaje y los buques que no sean de pasaje de más de 3.000 toneladas brutas en viajes internacionales ahora deben estar equipados con registradores de datos de viaje (VDR) o registradores de datos de viaje simplificados (S-VDR). Además, todos los barcos modernos también están equipados con una amplia gama de otros sistemas (ECDIS, GPS, sistemas de monitoreo de maquinaria, etc.) que adquieren y almacenan automáticamente grandes cantidades de datos digitales de forma continua, y también pueden complementarse con sistemas de tierra similares. -basados ​​en sistemas (como VTS, AIS, etc.).

Estos datos digitales contienen una gran cantidad de información sobre las posiciones de los barcos, operaciones, estados de alarma, comunicaciones, condiciones climáticas, etc. Debido a la cantidad de datos, diferentes formatos de datos y referencias de tiempo, etc., extraer valor de todos estos datos digitales a menudo puede ser extremadamente desafiante. Aquí es donde la experiencia de MARINE DATA LINK puede ayudar: hemos desarrollado una gama de sistemas y servicios para garantizar que pueda obtener el máximo valor de sus datos, y tenemos una experiencia considerable con una amplia gama de clientes, que incluyen:

  • Empresas Navieras

  • Asegurados de Protección e Inmunidad

  • Autoridades Marítimas

  • Investigadores de Accidentes e Incidentes Marítimos

  • Autoridades de Control y Aplicación de la ley

  • Consultoras Marítimas

Por lo general, las aplicaciones involucran;

Establecer y visualizar lo que sucedió realmente durante un incidente o accidente, de modo que se puedan aprender lecciones y se tomen las medidas adecuadas para evitar que se repitan incidentes / accidentes.

Análisis de rutina automatizado de datos para detectar eventos que son precursores conocidos de accidentes o incidentes, de modo que se puedan tomar acciones para aumentar la seguridad operativa.

Análisis de rutina automatizado de datos para detectar tendencias relacionadas con el rendimiento en los datos, de modo que se puedan tomar acciones para hacer la operación más económica y así ahorrar dinero.

Sobre la base de esta experiencia, MARINE DATA LINK ha desarrollado una gama de sistemas y servicios estándar para el análisis de datos marinos.

  • Services

    • Analysis and Playback Facilities

    • Incident Replay and Analysis

    • Routine/Long Term Monitoring

    • Remote Navigation Audits

  • Software Applications & Systems

    • MAR-DAS: (Marine Accident - Remote Data ANALYSIS System)

    • MAR-DCS: (Marine Accident - Remote Data CAPTURE System)

    • VR-OQA: (Voyage - Remote Operations QUALITY Assurance)

    • VR-DCS: (Voyage - Remote Data CAPTURE System)