NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE FOR MARITIME, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Lingsat, City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines

Tel. Nos. (072) 242 5676-77; 607 4722
Fax No. (072) 242 5676
Email: npcmst_sfc@yahoo.com

NAV.2 MODULE NO.5

Subject : Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation 2 (Nav.2)

STCW reference : A-II/1.F1.C1.KUP2
A-II/1.F1.C1.KUP3
Course Outcome : CO5. Fill up deck logbook based on provided navigational information
Learning Outcome : LO17.1 Identify the information to be included in the bridge logbook and other records
LO17.2 Explain the importance of the bridge logbook
LO17.3 Record navigational information in the bridge logbook
Time Frame : Week/s 14 – 18

Lesson 1: Logbooks (or Forms) and Records

I. Introduction:
On board merchant ships the expression “to log” means to “to record”. This expression should not be mistaken for
the other meanings of the word, such as log which means a whole length of a trunk of a felled tree; or log which
means is an instrument to measure speed or distance traveled by a ship, as a patent log or traffrail log; and such
other expressions as “log a mile” or pieces of logs.

This lesson covers the basic concepts in terrestrial and coastal navigation. The lesson will partly tackle some
basic terms on terrestrial and coastal navigation, types of navigation, phases of navigation and plotting instruments to
be use.

At the end of the discussion, the students are expected to:

1. Identify the information to be included in the bridge logbook and other records
2. Explain the importance of the bridge logbook
3. Record navigational information in the bridge logbook

II. Instructions:
1. The lesson is covering the basic concepts on terrestrial and coastal navigation which requires a lot of reading and
familiarization of the different terms used, therefore, the students are strongly advised to read and comprehend
each term diligently.
2. Active participation in the discussion is strongly advise to have an interactive discussion in the classroom.
3. Submit your requirements on time.
4. Always follow instructions and accomplish all task and assessments to be given by the instructor.
5. Proper decorum to be observe at all times
6. Feel free to ask questions regarding the lesson to your instructor

III. Lesson Proper:

A. Presentation:
Where do ship’s daily activities and events are being recorded?

B. Discussion:

Meaning and Purpose of a Log Book

A log book is a book which is kept a written record of the movement of a ship with regards to courses,
speed, positions, and other information of interest to navigators and of important events that happen on board the
ship. The deck log as the log book is sometimes called contains a description of every important occurrence
concerning the ship’s crew and the operation and safety of the ship.
 NORTHERN PHILIPPINES COLLEGE FOR MARITIME, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Lingsat, City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (072) 242 5676-77; 607 4722
Fax No. (072) 242 5676
Email: npcmst_sfc@yahoo.com

The real purpose of a merchant ship’s deck log is to serve as an official record of the ship’s history during
her lifetime. It presents a complete narrative of noteworthy incidents that took place in the life time of the ship.
Everything of significance that pertains to the ship’s complement, operations or state of readiness or unreadiness
of the main propulsion machinery or ability of the ship to accept cargo, is entered in the logbook. It is a detailed
source of factual data.

Deck officers responsible for the maintenance of the logbook must appreciate the importance of this
undertaking. They must ensure that all entries are complete, accurate, clear, concise and expressed in plain and
simple merchant marine phraseology. Altogether, the entries in the logbook should constitute true and
understandable historical and legal record of the ship.

A ship log book is a legal document. For it to assume a legal status is must be registered in the country
whose flag the ship is flying. In the Philippines. A Philippine registered ship’s logbook is registered by the
MARINA.

The deck log, the bell book, the engineer’s bell book are legal records and can be used as evidence
before legal authorities. Consequently, it is important that the remarks be complete and accurate. Erasures in any
of these records would bring their validity as evidence in question. The officer in charge of the watch must initial
every correction made in the log.

The logbook is often consulted in the settlement of dispute between ship-owners and charterers and
between charterers and shippers. A complete entry therefore must be made in the logbook concerning details of
loading and unloading of cargoes including the state of weather prevailing during the cargo operations. It is also
consulted when a member of a ship’s crew or passenger suffered injuries or even died while onboard. A complete
entry must also be made on every injury, accident and casualty including first aid and medical attention rendered,
if any.

All entries must be handwritten and since it is handwritten, particular care must be taken in the recording
of numbers, especially notation of time. The remarks must be legible and signed by the officer in charge of the
watch with his signature over his printed name.

Description of the log book

In almost all merchant ships, the deck log consists of two parts. The first part, the “tabular data” section,
contains information concerning ti me of entry, course, weather and meteorological information, and the
ship’s departure and arrival drafts, content of the fresh water tanks, water ballast and bilge soundings, etc. The
second part consist of the “Remarks” section which is to be filled up by the officer on watch regarding changes of
courses and all other noteworthy events that occurred during the watch.

The format and manner of keeping the log may vary with each shipping company or with each ship but its
status as an official record of the day to day events will not change, nor the responsibility of the deck officer for
maintaining a proper and complete log.

Video Clips:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOaBJoV6_WU
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slNoXbR74uA
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xMukmaYL3o
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywLjnpa3aN8