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Keeping a log book is in most countries not a legal requirement, but a carefully kept log book will certainly help in proving good seamanship (to authorities or your insurance) when you do run into trouble. Filling in a log book starts when you're planning your trip. Things like weather forcasts, tides, depth considerations, alternative safe havens, etc... can and should all be looked up beforehand and written down in your log book. This avoids having to look them up in different sources (you might not even have at hand at sea) at times where your attention might well be required elsewhere. If you've never kept a log book, here are a few starting points as to what to write down. - Start and intended finish point
- Start time and ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
- Crew list
- Weather forecast: wind direction/strength, visibility, barometer
- Route with directions, timings, expected currents, attention points (bouys, shipping lanes, depth,...)
- Details about the destination (access times, VHF channel, phone number,...)
- Details about alternative destinations
- Security information (coast guard channels, phone numbers, etc...)
During your trip, you should update your logbook with at least the following information - Time
- Current position, speed, heading
- Changes in sea state
- Barometer readings
And to make your log book more fun to read afterwards, you can put down any additional information you like... Where was it again you saw those dolphins, who made that soup just at the right time to lift the moral,... |
