It could be used for training purposes, to identify any errors which a mariner made and correct any faults. It could be used for engine analysis, helping engineers to identify how well the engine is running and make any adjustments, which could result in fuel savings. He advocates the setting up of international or national nearmiss databases, which would give information about accidents that nearly happened and explain why. This information can be passed onto other maritime to greatly improve safety. Making use of engine status data generated by voyage data recorders is particularly interesting.
Nobody ever evaluates why they go off.
Playback must be as easy as possible onboard and as graphical as possible. Rutter Technologies has also chosen to develop a system that allows data to be downloaded onboard. Our onboard download and playback system allows the owner and officers to use it as a training and management tool. There is currently a great deal of debate about whether the storage unit should float or sink. Mr. Schleiter argues that a floating black box would cost about a tenth of one that can sink.