Captain's log

The old man's diary.

Captain's log vs Ship's log

A Ship's logbook is the official record of all the goings-ons of the ship. Crew changes, cargo changes, hourly positions, course changes, weather observations. Sightings of ships, vessels and boats, radio contacts. And even spotted wildlife can be logged in here. Normally this is done by the crewmember having the watch during their watch. And all crewmembers can see what's in there.

A Captain's log is their private log, with overlapping information, but it is more in the diary's format and less factual note keeping. In here the Captain can share their thoughts and plans, a place to write down their opinions about cargo, ship, crew and passengers, without it being a potential problem if that opinion is less favourable.

In case of an event, a captain's logbook can be used as a source of information or evidence to determine the order and reason of events.

Design

A Ship's logbook, sometimes also called Bridge journal, is always a paper book specially designed to be that, aproved by the law peoples.

The Captain's log can be anything really, just what they prefer. Digital, clay tablets, but mostly it's paper based too.

What is in there

The noon position, current and planned heading. Distance sailed in the last twenty-four hours. Weather, wind and sea information. Any planned changes in the route. Events with regards to the cargo. Reports about events. Description of crew morale.

Possesion

If a captain leaves the ship, they'll most likely take their log with them, and continue on the following pages with a new ship if they get a new command. Any information they wish to share from their logbook with a new captain they'll copy in a new document.

In case a captain is incapable of continueing to lead the ship, the logbook is a great resourse for the first mate or another officer that takes over.

Read the Document

Captain's log

Captain's Log
Ship: Barquentine Sunset Red Sunrise
Date: 10^th of December
Noon position: 34° 42’ N,150° 13’ W
Heading: SEbS Close reach
Distance sailed by log/fix: L 336 / F 332 nm
Wind: SSW, Moderate Breeze
Weather: b/c
Sea: Calm. Waves < 1m , Swell NNO, long, < 1m

Morning:

The wind is still SSW, Heading as south as she'll go. Soon I have to make the choice between rounding Cape Horn or C. Good Hope. Weather forecast said the wind will veer but how much?

This morning, I ordered the double bottom tanks to be inspected. Now we've been at sea for a few days I want to know for sure all welds are watertight.

Middag:

At 12 o’clock, we spotted a school of dolphins alongside the ship, a sign of favourable weather ahead, as tradition says. It made me remember Alice .

Jan and Marsh got a good noon fix on the sun.

Sails! At 14:00 we spotted a sloop rigged yacht to the west, it heading NW. It passed about 10 nm from us.

Afternoon:

C/O Jan told me that Alejandro is complaining that the stores are low. It's not complaining, they are low. We didn't have much when we left the shipyard in a hurry. I just hoped Alejandro could do some magic.

We might need to go hunting.

Evening:

The crew set some fishing lines, and promptly hauled in two good sized Tuna's.

Michael (Bos'n) reported no leaks in the double bottom tanks. Bobby said no anomalies with the oil tanks either.

Discussed the route with Marsh, he wants to take the Horn route. I still hope the wind turns so we can tack and go westward.

Night:

calm.

Close

Type

Record, Logbook

Medium

Paper

Author

Pirate Captain R.A. Oak

Ship

Red Sunrise

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