Log books entries

Records should be maintained whether the vessel is on international voyages or not. Records may be kept either in paper format or electronic means provided such information can be readily available.
Log books and engine movement (bell) books should be checked to ensure that they are up to date with entries properly made in ink and not in pencil. All entries must be truthful and factual as the event occurs. Empty lines are not allowed, and any correction should be such that the original entry is readable.
Information which should be recorded includes that concerning position, course and speed, the times and positions when passing waypoints, land or sea marks, weather and sea conditions and incidents and events including pilot embarkation/disembarkation, times of attendance and connection and disconnection of tugs, times of berthing and un-berthing, hazardous occurrences and accidents. Effectiveness of the radar(s) as measured by the performance monitor(s) should be recorded by the OOW at the end of each watch whenever the radar(s) are operational to ensure that optimal efficiency is being maintained. A numeric, percentage, graphical, or other measurement value should be recorded.

Running logs such as Bridge Movement book, Deck Log Book, Cargo Operation Log Kook and Engine Movement Books are key documents that are looked at, in order to establish the chronology of events and activities being undertaken onboard ship, prior to, during and after any incident.

No records or scanty details - are a clear indication that the officers onboard do not recognize the importance of recordkeeping and casts doubt on the level of watch keeping undertaken by the officers on watch.
With respect to Cargo, Ballast and Tank Cleaning operation on Tankers, the CCR log serves to record that the operations are being conducted as per the plan, which serves to also record the deviations from the plan, if any. The log must include details of all major events including starting and stopping of main cargo and ballast pumps, tanks being worked and any deviations from the original plan.
Confirmatory entries in the CCR log in respect of the communications exchanged, between persons within the ship and also between Ship & Shore, further serves to confirm the actions or activities, for example, a request to reduce the loading rate to the agreed ‘topping off’ rate, followed by a further entry in the CCR log that it has been confirmed reduced by the shore side provides written evidence of closure of the communication loop.
Recognizing that OOW’s may not have been fully briefed or may not be genuinely aware of their responsibility towards record keeping whilst on watch, it is considered appropriate to highlight the below points:

1. WHAT IS TO BE RECORDED: ‘Anything and everything’ that an OOW feels will serve as evidence to prove that he/she kept a proper watch and that the required procedures were complied with, must be recorded. If the OOW is in doubt, whether to or not to record, then it must be recorded.
2. THE REASON FOR RECORD KEEPING: Diligent and truthful record keeping first and foremost serves as the OOW’s primary evidence that a proper watch was maintained. Proper watch keeping supported by proper record keeping provides the ship’s owner the primary evidence needed to defend a case, fend off false claims and allegations.
   Following a short templates-reminder on essential details to be logged in various ogbooks:

Bridge Movement(Bell) Book: Arrival OR Dep Port Entries

ARRIVAL:

• Date / Arrival drafts / Displacement
• 1/ 2 hours notice to E/R for maneuvering + power on winches / windlass Vessel in Confined water.
• Anchors clear ( Status of Lashings)
• Watch keeping level on Bridge entered
• Called Master and CON handed over to Master
• Abeam (All principle marks) / Transit bearings / lights in a line
• BNWAS switched On/Off ( Master's Discretion)
• Called Port/Pilot station to announce ETA + berthing prospects + reply ...... EOSP / Commenced slow down / - - -
• Commenced Load Down Program
• ROB: HFO / DO / MGO / FW /Etc
• Vessel on hand/Auto steering in narrow channels / approaching pilot station Steering Gear tested as per Solas Chap V reg 26 , All indicators in Sync. Controls tested, clocks synchronized,
• Timing on each set of steering pumps in each mode (system 1 / 2/ NFU) Main Engines Tried out Astern and Ahead ( Telegraph Location)
• All navigational equipment in order - any defects Master made aware.
• Bridge Equipment Pre-Arrival/Departure Check list BR3 completed Vessel passing Abort Point / PNR ( point Of No Return)
• Free Pratique requested / granted
• UKC + OHC + expected squat recorded
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

If Anchoring

• Received Anchoring Co-ordinates from
• Vessel entered Designated Anchorage Area
• Check List BR6 completed
• Commenced Lowering Port/ stbd Anchor (Vsl spd: ##.# kts over Ground) Anchor Touched Bottom ( Hdg : no of Shackles: Gps Position : ) Vessel Anchored:
• Type of sea bed : Charted Depth : UKC: No of shackles : Informed Port control of Anchoring Position / Time NOR Tendered.
• FWE / Engine on short / 1 hr / 10 mins / Cont Readiness
• ROB: HFO / DO / MGO / FW
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

If Pilot Boarding, berthing at jetty / SBM

• Vessel at Pilot station / Rendezvous position
• Completed Pilot boarding Check list BR7 / Ship - Helicopter Check list
• Pilot boat / helicopter alongside and away / boarding by basket
• POB + Name of Pilot
• Completed MPEX Check list BR 8.
• Passage plan discussed with Pilot till berth
• Mooring plan + Pilot's advice to make fast with eg: 4 + 2 + 2
• If berthing at SBM - port OR stbd shore hawser + chain first
• Names of tugs assisting + made fast + ships rope of tugs rope used
• Passing buoy number / passing under bridge / passing lighthouse etc etc
• Approaching berth / SBM – at least some distances to berth recorded
• Abeam (All principle marks) / Transit bearings / lights in a line
• ( Fdw and Aft)Tool Box Meetings Completed
• First line ashore + All fast at berth / SBM number xxxxx with eg: 4/2/2
• NOR Tendered
• Gangway down / on board
• Commenced Loading Arm / Hose connections
• Pilot Away
• Tugs Cast off
• FWE / Engine on short / 1 hr / 10 mins / Cont Readiness
• ROB: HFO / DO / MGO / FW
• AIS status + GMDSS aerial status + bridge secured
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

STS operations

• Anchor Aweigh
• Vessel At Rendezvous (RV) position
• Check List Completed : Commenced Operations
• Check List Completed: Commenced Final Approach
• ( Fdw and Aft)Tool Box Meetings Completed
• 10 Cm Radar switched Off
• Status of ICCP
• Vsl Spd : Hdng:
• Wx condition Sea;BF XX Scale, Swell; M, Visibility;
• Mother/Daughter Vessel Alongside
• Commenced Mooring
• Detail the entire mooring Operations
• All Fast
• Commenced Hose connection
• Vessel Turing to Port / Stbd. ROT:
• Entries appropriate to Anchoring / Drifting as mentioned above.....
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

STS Departure

• Anchor aweigh
• Completed Check List No 5
• Vsl Spd : Hdng:
• Commenced Unmooring
• All Lines Clear
• Vessels Separated
• Service Vessel clear of STBL Turning to Port / stbd at NM
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

US GULF

• Time ----------: Tested Primary and Secondary steering gear internal control communications, alarms, Standby/ Emergency Generator and Emergency Lighting.
• Time -----------: Conducted Emergency steering drill as per 33 CFR 164.25(d)
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

DEPARTURE:

• Notice to E/R for main engine
• Date / Departure drafts / Displacement
• Steering Gear tested as per Solas Chap V reg 26, All indicators in Sync.
• Controls tested, clocks synchronized,
• Timing on each set of steering pumps in each mode (system 1 / 2/ NFU)
• Completed Pilot boarding Check list BR 7/ Ship - Helicopter Check list
• Pilot boat / helicopter alongside and away / boarding by basket
• POB + Name of Pilot
• Completed Check list BR 7 and R 8 Master Pilot information exchange.
• Passage plan discussed with Pilot from berth till fairway buoy
• Mooring plan + Pilot's advice to make fast with eg: 4 + 2 + 2
• If berthing at SBM - port OR stbd shore hawser + chain first
• Names of tugs assisting + made fast + ships rope of tugs rope used
• Only after g'way up : Engine tested on air & fuel
• Main Engines Blown Through
• Commenced singling up fore & aft
• SBE
• ROB: HFO / DO / MGO / FW
• Main Engines Tried out Astern and Ahead ( Telegraph Location)
• Watch keeping level on Bridge entered
• All cast off forward / all cast off aft + propeller clear
• Vessel moving away from jetty / SBM + vesel clear from berth
• Tugs cast off + tug away
• Abeam (All principle marks) / Transit bearings / lights in a line
• All Reporting’s Made
• Pilot boat / helicopter alongside and Pilot away
• COSP given at xxxx
• ROB: HFO / DO / MGO / FW
• Vessel secured for sea - all anchors + loose gear lashed
• BNWAS switched On
• Con Handed Over to OOW
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

CCR Movement Book: Arrival Port Entries

• All cargo Lines and COW lines pressure tested
• Testing of all COP, Compressors & Inert Gas system alarms and trips
• O2 analyzer zero calibrated (for oil Tankers)
• Inspection of Ballast tank samples - no traces of oil sheen
• Completed Pump room Entry Permit Check list (For Oil Tankers)
• Completed Compressor room Entry Permit Check list (For LPG/C)
• Loading / Disch plan discussed with all deck officers and C/Engineer
• Controls tested, clocks synchronized, engines tried out astern
• Arrival / SBE : Drafts + HFO / DO / MGO / FW ROB's
• Completed Pre arrival check list
• 2 hours notice to E/R for COP's / IG / Ballast Pump / Stripper steam
• Cargo hydraulic oil topped up and system tested
• Current Displacement / Cargo quantities / Ballast quantities
• First line ashore / All fast / g'way down
• Gangway ready for boarding with safety net
• NOR tendered + received / Free Pratique granted
• Agent / Immigration / SIRE / PSC / FSC / Customs / Supdt / Etc boarded
• If boarding by basket / helicopter / boat - times alongside & away
• Cargo Surveyor onbd + Commenced / gauging / sampling / Cargo Survey Commenced / completed Cargo / Vapor hose connection e.g; 1 x 8" etc
• Commenced Safety meeting with terminal Completed Check list
• Max loading / disch rates + topping up rates xxxxxx cumtr per hour
• Ship Ready to load / disch + Shore ready to load / disch times
• Completed Cargo Gear readiness check list C2 (LPG/C) TKR 4 (For Oil Tankers) Awaiting shore readiness
• Commd IG plant / IG pressure / O2 content each hour (Tankers) Manifold/Vapor valves OPEN / SHUT
• Ballasting / Deballasting changed over from xx tank to xx tank
• Manifold pressure / rpm reduced by shore / shore c/over tanks
• Moorings tended to between xxxx LT and xxxx LT
• SBM watch / Manifold / rounds made on deck + Ship/shore c/list verified
• Ldg / disch quantities verified with shore at least each watch
• Comparisons of Liquid levels Manual/COT gauges with Remote readings each watch
• If applicable Cargo Ventilating log OP 20
• During Cargo work Checklist in progress
• Checklist in use during Cargo work
• Checklist in use Pre-Ballasting of Cargo tanks (For Oil Tankers)
• Prior COW Checklist TKR 8 (For Oil Tankers)
• COW preparation / commenced / completed - details in COW log (Tankers) Notice given to terminal for slowing down for TOPPING UP tanks
• Ceased Disch ashore for internal COW & Stripping operations
• Resumed disch / commd final line displacement through MARPOL line Completed loading / discharging / ballasting / deballasting .
• Completion of checklist upon completion of cargo work
• Completion of checklist TKR 7 upon completion of cargo/Ballast Commenced / completed gauging + cargo sampling
• Hoses connected / disconnected + documents on board
• LOP's + Ship shore difference + BL's signed + OBQ certificate
• Departure Drafts + HFO + DO + MGO + FW + Ballast + SBE
• Agent / Immigration / SIRE / PSC / FSC / Customs / Supdt disembarked POB + Gangway up + commenced singling up + all cast off
• Propeller clear + Engines tried out on air & fuel
• Commd / completed bunkering + FW + stores + Lubes + spares
• Sign ON / sign OFF crew + times boat a/s & away.
• Port & Terminal regulations complied with - enter at least twice a day
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

CCR Movement Book: Departure Port Entries

• 2 hours notice to E/R for sailing
• All cargo + Ballast tanks and W/T doors secured for sea passage
• Controls tested, clocks synchronized, engines tried out
• Departure / SBE : Drafts + HFO / DO / MGO / FW ROB's
• POB: Embarked/disembarked + Name of Pilot + Names of tugs made fast
• Current Displacement / Cargo quantities / Ballast quantities
• G'way up & propeller clear if need to try put engines
• POB: Embarked + disembarked + Name of Pilot + Names of tugs made fast
• Agent / Immigration / SIRE / PSC / FSC /supdt disembarked
• If disembarking by basket / helicopter / boat - times alongside & away
• Commenced / gauging / sampling + Surveyor disembarked.
• Commenced / completed hose connection e; 1 x 8" etc
• Stopped IG plant /Final IG pressure / Mast riser shut
• Manifold valves SHUT and secured
• Commenced / completed Loading / Discharging /Ballasting / deballasting
• COP's / Ballast pump / stripper pump : Stopped
• Hoses disconnected + documents on board
• Departure Drafts + HFO + DO + MGO + FW + Ballast + SBE
• Agent / Immigration / SIRE / PSC / FSC / Customs / Supdt disembarked
• POB + Gangway up + commenced singling up + all cast off
• Propeller clear + Engines tried out on air & fuel
• Commd / completed bunkering + FW + stores + Lubes + spares
• RFA + all ropes secured for sea voyage
• ROB's: HFO / GO .MDO / FW
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........

Engine Room Movement Book: Arrival OR Dep Port Entries

ARRIVAL:

• Free Pratique requested / granted
• Controls tested, clocks synchronized
• Engine room watch keeping level xxxxx maintained
• Starting & taking additional generator on load
• Warming up & start up of boiler
• M/E slowed down and stop + tried out astern - all in order
• Engines ready for maneuvering in all respects
• Check depths in approach channel c/over to High/Low sea suction
• EOP - M/E counter + M/E + A/E + Boiler flow meter readings + M/E cyl oil + Alfa Lubricator counter
• FWE - M/E counter + M/E + A/E + Boiler flow meter readings + M/E cyl oil + Alfa lubricator counter

Arrival US waters:

• All checks carried out as per CFR
• If anchoring: Main engine on xxxxx notice
• If berthing directly:
• IG Oxygen analyzer calibrated prior arrival
• COP's and Ballast Pump warming up
• All fast at berth / SBM number xxxxx
• FWE + HFO / DO / MGO / FW / Distilled water = ROB's

DEPARTURE:

• 2 hours notice received from Bridge for main engine
• Controls tested, clocks synchronized
• Engine room watch keeping level xxxxx maintained
• Steering gear tested in conjunction with Wheel house and timing recorded
• After confirming Propeller clear - Turning of M/E on Turning gear
• Engines blown through & ready for testing on fuel
• M/E tried out - all satisfactory
• SBE - M/E counter + M/E + A/E + Boiler flow meter readings + M/E cyl oil + Alfa Lubricator counter
• SBE: HFO / DO / MGO / FW ROB's
• RFA - M/E counter + M/E + A/E + Boiler flow meter readings + M/E cyl oil = Alfa Lubricator counter
• RFA: HFO / DO / MGO / FW ROB's
• Unloading of extra A/E and other auxiliaries
• Any other event / incident / happening during your watch ........