Official Log Books

Entries and Record keeping

 MSA 1995 s.77(1) states that an OLB
approved by MCA must be kept on
board for every UK ship
 If a person intentionally destroys or
mutilates or renders illegible any
entry, he will be liable on summary
conviction to a fine.
 An OLB is available from any MCA
Marine Office or from British Consuls
abroad.
 It is usually collected with a radio log
book and along with articles of
agreement.
 For a voyage agreement, remains in
force from the time of opening the
crew agreement until the last person
is discharged.
 For a running agreement or indefinite
agreement from the time of opening
the agreement until expiry of 6
months after making first entries in
OLB.
 Must be produced by the Master, if
demanded to the RSS, a
superintendent, a proper officer, a
surveyor or customs officer.
 Contains a white outer cover which
contains instructions on maintaining
the OLB.
 Contains a brown card inner cover.
The Master who opens the OLB
should complete the relevant details
pertaining to the ship and his own
qualifications.
 Contains a number of special pages
for specified entries a narrative
section for making any entry for
which there is no special page
Front cover
 Ship’s particulars, Masters particulars,
Owner’s /Manager’s name and
address, dates and places of opening
and closing of OLB.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Pages 2-7
 Record of Seamen employed in the
ship. (Number in crew list; name;
capacity employed in; narrative
entry.
 All entries in this section made by the
Master.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Pages 8-9
 Returns and entries of births and
deaths in the OLB
 In case of birth, signature of mother
is required.
 In case of death, signature of ANY
crew member will be sufficient.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Pages 10-14
 Record of Musters, boat drills and fire drills,
training of crew and inspections of LSA and
FFA.
 Every entry MUST be signed by the Master
and any one other crew member.
 If it is not signed by BOTH, it is invalid and
will not be accepted as drills have been
carried out.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Pages 15-18
 Record of test drills and inspections of
ship’s steering gear
 Date, time, place and nature of
inspection
 All entries MUST be signed by the
Master and an officer.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Pages 19-23
 Record of inspections of crew
accommodation
 Regulations require that inspection of
crew accommodation is carried out
every 7 days
 Entries will be made by the Master
and any other crew member, usually
the one who accompanies the Master.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Pages 24-28
 Record of inspections of food and
water provided for the crew.
 Date, Inspector, result.
 Entries must be made by the Master
and any other crew member.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Page 29
 Positions of deck line and load lines
 Entries are made by the Master at the
same time the log book is opened.
Entries in the Special Pages
 Pages 30-39
 Dates of departure from and arrival at
each dock, wharf, harbour or any
other place with draught of water and
freeboard upon every occasion of the
ship proceeding to sea.
 Entries made by the Master and
another person completing the
entries.
Entries in the Narrative Section
 Pages 40-76
 • changes of master
 • the annexing of other documents to the OLB.
 • accidents
 • casualties
 • disciplinary matters
 • discharge of crew members, i.e. when they sign off the articles ( note
 there is no need to make an entry when crew members sign on to the
 articles, this is covered above).
 • details of crew left behind
 • desertions
 • complaints
 • promotions and demotions
 • criminal convictions during a voyage
 • illness
 • deaths
 • appointments of safety officers, representatives and committees.
 • meetings of safety committees.
 • wages disputes
 • closing of articles and OLB.
Making, signing and witnessing OLB
entries
 As soon as practicable
 Made by the person authorised to
make such entry
 Signed by the specified person and
where required witnessed by the
specified person.
 Entries required to be signed by the
Master may unless “ the master in
person” is specified, be signed by an
officer authorised by the Master for
that purpose.
 Entry must be dated.
 The Master commits an offence if an
entry is not made, signed and
witnessed in accordance with the
Regulations.
Amending or cancelling OLB entries
 If an entry appears in accurate or
incomplete, the current Master or the
person making the entry must make
and sign a further entry referring to
the entry and amending or cancelling
it.