Do You Keep a Log ?

[nautical62]

My log is basically just where I went each day, the weather and any discovered hazards (rare). No need to computerize it or put it online.

I think blogging is a bit more than a ship's log.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by banyandah

I was surprised not to see it in COLREGS. I'll look for it in the Aussie regs. ..

Jack, hate to tell ya, but its not in the Aussie regs..
By the way, when folks say "Its a legal document" it's not. Its like any other piece of paper in the world. It can be shoved up in evidence but the Beak will wanna check out the facts for himself he may even allow the jury to do that, on occasion

Now, onto your log of the Great Australia Bight show that you had 1 hour of "Heavenly" conditions sandwiched between "overcast, cold and Damp" a "3rd reef Main" and "Wind has Vanished". You back it up by a delightful drawing of a Storm Petrel.

May I suggest next time: The Coconut Run, The Trades and a Tropicbird?





Maybe I can find a computer program to do an automated log...?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

By the way, when folks say "Its a legal document" it's not. Its like any other piece of paper in the world. It can be shoved up in evidence but the Beak will wanna check out the facts for himself he may even allow the jury to do that, on occasion

Speaking legally, your log is certainly a legal document.

That does not mean, however, that it is automatically proof of every fact described in the log. Of course, like any document, it is evidence of certain facts -- where you were, who was on board, what happened, were you motoring or sailing, did you switch on your nav lights or anchor lights (always write that down, by the way) etc. If someone suspects that you faked something in it, then of course a court will check that out to see if there is some evidence that you indeed faked something.

But your log is very strong evidence of the things you wrote down there! If you maintain a regular practice of keeping your log, then it is very hard to prove that something you wrote down is not so. As a (former) lawyer, I recommend cruising skippers to keep them! They can really help a lot in some pinches!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Pete7

All right for some, suppose you don't wear a watch either, because actually the time of day at any one point doesn't matter

Pete

[Still working in George Orwells 1984]

One of the plus's of being single.... you go onto 'Island Time'.....
No sweat Mark... its a fact...
I can't tell a good story to save my life....
There's just to much 'Talent' out there for me to even try....

[Healer52]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Jack, hate to tell ya, but its not in the Aussie regs..
By the way, when folks say "Its a legal document" it's not. Its like any other piece of paper in the world. It can be shoved up in evidence but the Beak will wanna check out the facts for himself he may even allow the jury to do that, on occasion

Now, onto your log of the Great Australia Bight show that you had 1 hour of "Heavenly" conditions sandwiched between "overcast, cold and Damp" a "3rd reef Main" and "Wind has Vanished". You back it up by a delightful drawing of a Storm Petrel.

May I suggest next time: The Coconut Run, The Trades and a Tropicbird?





Maybe I can find a computer program to do an automated log...?

The beak?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Healer52

The beak?

Judge

[Peter-Jan]

Hi Anton,

Your application looks very nice. It appeals to both the laziness and perfectionism in me.

Regards,

Peter-Jan.

[banyandah]

Keeping a log may not be a legal requirement for some, but it is sensible, practical and plain fun.
Dockhead made quite a valid point. In today's insurance driven world where causing damage or injury, without minding the rules, can see you charged.

To Markj, re the aussie bight, we actually had 36 hours of bobbing about, when albatross landed and came up for a hand out. Magic light show at sundown, followed by a blow of course. But, imagine being a bit older and gray like moi, and having a bookshelf of logbooks with sketches like those, makes magic memories.

[kiper204]

We scribble some logs ,and then keep them online with photos ,and drop our waypoints on a map. We actually just designed a website so others may do the same. Its still being tweaked but we let our friends use it and they love it. I wish I liked hand writing logs but I write like a doctor ...lol. No one else can read it

[banyandah]

Originally Posted by kiper204

I write like a doctor ...lol. No one else can read it

So do I, that's why my lady does the sketches. I scribble notes and draw primitive sail plans.
Having a computer running all the time I'm at sea isn't me. I like to keep the power demand down, and basically think, saltwater and electronics don't mix.
We were once negotiating a really tricky passage, had CMaps clocking our position, and at the trickiest spot, the laptop ran out of battery!!

[kiper204]

We dont run one under way either. We jot down things and then transfer them when we settle in somewhere. We lost a brand new Mac 2 yrs ago to spray... lesson learned !! ..lol.