Coast Guard Mission Data Recorder (MDR) for the 47-FT Motor Lifeboat - Phase 3,

Mission Data Recorders MDRs were designed and built by the Coast Guard Research and Development Center to autonomously collect quantitative motions data on the 47-FT preproduction Motor Lifeboats MLBs over a long period of time. The purpose of the MDR was to collect both short-term event data and long-term vessel motions data in an autonomous manner, similar to an aircraft flight recorder. Phase 1 results were published in Report No. CG-D-20-94 which contains detailed descriptions of the MDR development and analysis of significant roll events recorded during the period of October 1993 to June 1994. Phase 2 results were published in Report No. CG-D-17-95 which contains follow-up discussions with coxswains of boats that experienced significant events, the development of engine usage profiles, and analysis of additional significant events from the period of June 1994 to March 1995. Phase 3 results present a final compilation of MDR statistics data that have been collected for more than two years and includes the time period from March 1995 through April 1996. A total of 10 significant roll events, hundreds of horns of tracking the locations of the MLBs, and hundreds of underway hours of motion statistics and engine usage have been captured and analyzed. This represents the most comprehensive database of underway information ever collected on a Coast Guard MLB. These data were used to construct engine usage profiles, and roll, pitch and heave acceleration frequency distribution curves.