Ship's Log

1. Log Content

The Day/Date is filled out at the top of every page, as well as the starting and ending location of the trip. The first line is completed at the time of departure, noting the engine hour reading in the Comments line. Subsequent lines will be completed at the end of every shift, unless the GPS is out of action and then log entries will be made each hour, or if there is a change in course or speed. The following elements will be recorded:

• Time (24 hr notation, eg 1015)
• Latitude & Longitude(GPS reading of degrees, and minutes to 2 decimal places), or name of Aid to Navigation or Waypoint reached.
• Water depth
• Estimated average compass course for the prior period (if not on GPS)
• Estimated average speed for the prior period (both boat speed through the water and SOG from GPS)
• Distance travelled during the prior period and/or Log reading
• Barometer reading
• Swell direction, height, and period
• Apparent wind direction
• Apparent wind speed
• If engine on, average RPM for prior period
• Whether Radar on
• Whether autopilot is steering, or if WindPilot is steering
• Cloud types
• Comments, e.g. when and what sail changes were made; times of turning engine, radar, autopilot, etc. on and off; and describe any boat problems, unusual incidents, or wildlife sightings that occurred.

2. Trip Summaries

This section will be completed for every day (midday to midday) on  passage.

• Day/Date
• Where travelled from - to
• Hours underway
• Engine hours
• Distance travelled through the water (boat speed or log)
• Distance made good over the ground (planned course) from chart or GPS
• Estimate average True course for the day
• Estimate average True wind direction for the day
• Estimate average True wind speed for the day
• Estimate average (or else range) swell height for the day
• Estimate average swell direction (True) for the day