Log Books

All log books are legal documents that are admissible in a Court of Law. They need to be filled out properly and completely. Use black ink, unless otherwise required, and print all entries, all Capital Letters is preferred. If you make a mistake cross it out with 1 line and initial it, then write the correction & continue on. Date the top of each log book page. Example of a Deck Log entry for a quite watch: 1200 Watch relieved as per ICS B-12 1215 C/C to 123pgc 134pscAMB 143psc 1248 R/S to 60RPMs to ease vessel in seaway 1600 Vessel working in rough SEly Sea and Swell, Ovcst, Good Vis, Rounds Made, Watch turned over to 3/M J. Doe

Ann Marie Barry 2/M

It is a continuous entry, no need to start a new line for each time. You may use abbreviations as long as they are easy to understand or there is a code or approved list. This is a quick reference guide so you know just how much paperwork there is on a Merchant Ship. It is not meant to be an all inclusive list. Not every ship will fill out every log. Some companies combine logs like the GMDSS &VHF. Each company can make up their own format for the logs so you need to learn what is expected or required for each particular log. TSES Quarterdeck Log Read and follow instructions posted by the C/M and inside the cover of the log Date the top of each page, put the date next to the time of the 0000 entry Time of watch relief - all watch standers should sign in and out of watch Alarms initial alarm, investigation, and final outcome of the alarm Security Rounds (Detex) and defects found Tests and inspections conducted during the watch Visitors Log This log is aboard the TSES as well as all merchant vessels Date the top of each page Name of all visitors Time Aboard and time ashore Reason for boarding/business aboard This allows ship personnel to know the total number of people aboard at any time and where they are aboard in the event of a fire. Helps with Search & Rescue/Evacuation as well as maintaining ship security.

Deck Log Book Details of each watch including course changes, weather, cargo information, pilot, tugs, etc. Check out the TSES instructions for more info Tests, inspections or drills conducted Red Line Entries are important times that affect payments such as Arrival/departure, tugs, pilots, cargo start/stop. These times need to stand out because they go into a lot of other paperwork. They are written in red ink and the carbon copy is underlined in red ink. Some companies dont use red pens in the log any more because they provide a space in the log specifically for the red line entries. Filled out by the Mate on watch, entries about inspections may be made by other officers. Whoever inspects the Lifeboat will log the inspection at the time they completed it even though it is not on their watch. There is usually a separate area for these entries. Engineers have the equivalent log in the E/R most of their info is gauge reading and equipment start/stop times Position Log Record hourly position, CMG, SMG, X-track error & method of fix May require positions more frequently in the harbor (WA requires 12min.) A position doesnt have to be Lat./Long. it can be /range to a point Anchor Log A position log while at anchor Start with the position of the anchor when it was let go, note your position & heading immediately when it is let go draw swing circle on chart Entries at least hourly including Position using GPS, and range to several points, heading and depth Night Orders Filled out by the Captain every night at sea & sometimes in port Supplement to the Standing Orders Tells the Mate on Watch any specific information for the watch, i.e. on a night where you are coming into port, he might write when to test gear or call him and the E/R for Arrival In port, usually the C/M has a similar book for cargo

Bell Book One on Bridge & One in E/R Record all bell or Engine Orders while maneuvering Bridge Bell Book becomes the rough log for the Deck Log Book, position information, pilot, tugs, etc. included

Everything is written is black ink. Some info will be written in red when transferred into the Deck Log.

EOT Data Logger An automatic data recorder that can record the bells Many ships have this but they will usually keep the Bell Book as a backup Sign and date the paper at the end of each watch or when resetting the time Compass Record Book Record all azimuths, amplitudes and other compass checks Track changes in gyro error & deviation on different headings Course Recorder This is an automatic Log that tracks the movements of the vessels heading It gets its input from the gyro compass, it is another repeater but it uses a pen to follow the movement You much check the time and heading and sign the paper validating the information Change paper once a month VHF Log Record all VHF Calls, including passing arrangements, VTS check in, etc. GMDSS Log Daily entry about the condition of the equipment, and how that was determined along with the vessels position Record any transmission except on the VHF Who was maintaining the radio watch & what was being monitored Any Distress Traffic Received Any problems with the equipment or maintenance conducted Testing of equipment Radar Log At a minimum, a daily entry about the status of the equipment Any problems picking up targets or interference, it is meant to track problems for the person who has to trouble shoot problems Maintenance of equipment Garbage Log Date and time of the discharge Type of waste discharged (victual, wood, incinerated ash, etc.)

 Quantity discharged (1 scuttle sack = 0.111m3) Location of discharge (Latitude & Longitude or Port) Distance off land at the time of discharge Signed by the person in charge of the discharge May be kept by the Mate on Watch or Chief Mate Defect Log Required by ISM. Keep track of all defects discovered during your safety inspections. This creates a paper trail to ensure follow up and corrective action. Chronometer Rate Book Record the error everyday & note the change in error (rate) The Chronometer is a highly accurate (so they say) timepiece to be used for celestial navigation Check the error using the GPS or a time tick over the radio Emergency Drill Log Rough log book kept during every Fire & Emergency, Abandon Ship, Security, Man Over Board, & Oil Spill Drill Record Position and time of the drill Activities conducted, persons involved, equipment used A brief description is then transferred into the Deck Log & possibly the Official Log Book Training Log Required by the new regulations, like ISM & ISPS Keep a record of any safety or security training conducted and who participated If the ABs watched a movie about the hazards of synthetic line snapback, it must be logged with all the ABs names so they get credit for being trained Official Log Book Filled out by the Master when on International Voyages All entries must be witnessed This log is submitted to the USCG at the completion of the voyage, to the Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection This book basically proves to the Coast Guard that your vessel was complying with all required activities as per the CFRs while outside the U.S. Entries include, record of seaman employed & payment record, birth or death aboard, drills, training, inspection of fire & life saving equipment, steering tests, accommodation inspections, load line information and sailing/arriving drafts.

Oil Record Book Kept aboard all vessels over 300 tons to record all movement of oil aboard the vessel, including loading and discharging (ashore or overboard). Filled out by the Engineer on watch when bilges are pumped overboard This is an engineers log on all ships for bunkers On tankers, an additional Oil Record Book is kept by the Chief Mate. This book contains the movement of all oil with respect to the cargo system. The info of E/R slops into cargo tanks that is found in the Engineers copy is also recorded in the deck book. Washing cargo tanks and loading/discharging dirty ballast is also included. Barograph A piece of machinery that is very similar to the Course Recorder, in that it uses a pen on a graph to record a change. It must be set to the correct atmospheric pressure and wound/paper changed every 5 days. Records the pressure changes over time so you can see a change of weather ahead Even on vessels that dont send weather reports, they all take care of this equipment Weather Log NOAA weather form that gets completed prior to sending the report electronically All weather related paperwork gets sent in to NOAA periodically. They would like this every month. NOAA weather reports are voluntary but your Company/Captain might require it. Cargo Logs Any paperwork required by the cargo owner must be kept together. It may not be an actual log book but there is a ton of cargo paperwork that the Chief Mate and Captain are responsible for.

 AMB revised 12/8/04