THE LOG BOOKS

A number of different types of log books will be kept onboard every vessel. These will include the official log, the deck or mate's log, the engine room log, rough logs, as well as the radio log, and sick day log. The official log, the rough log, the deck or mate's log, and the engine room log are the most important.
Judges and arbitratorsplace great weight on these logs as a contemporaneous record of the vessel. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that all log books are maintained in an orderly manner and fully and accurately record all relevant factual information. Movement books, bell books, course recorder print-outs or any other type of rough logs are also important items of evidance and should be maintained in a neat and orderly manner.
The master should ensure that the officers and crew are aware of the importance of a log book and take care in making entries. Entries in the log books should always be written neatly and legibly in ink. If a mistake is made, a single line should be drawn through the relevant passage. Words should never be erased, either by rubbing out, or by painting with erasing fluid. Erasures appear suspicious when log books are examined by the opposing party to a dispute, and, in any event forensic techniques are available whereby words which have been erased can be read. Furthermore, a judge or arbitrator examining a log book which has many erasures and is untidy may draw adverse inference about the way a vessel is generally operated.[left]