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A logbook (or log book) is a record used to record states, events, or conditions applicable to complex machines or the personnel who operate them. Logbooks are commonly associated with the operation of aircraft, nuclear plants, particle accelerators, and ships (among other applications). The term ''logbook'' originated with the
ship's log A logbook (a ship's logs or simply log) is a record of important events in the management, operation, and navigation of a ship. It is essential to traditional navigation, and must be filled in at least daily. The term originally referred to a b ...
, a maritime record of important events in the management, operation, and navigation of a ship. The captain was responsible for keeping a log, as a minimum, of navigational wind, speed, direction and position.


Format

Logbooks come in many varieties, but they are sometimes standardized in form and/or content within certain organizations or industries. In some applications like
flight training Flight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills. Flight training can be conducted under a str ...
or trucking
hours of service Hours of service (HOS) regulations are issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and govern the working hours of anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in the United States. These regulations apply to truck d ...
, they contain specific information used to satisfy legal requirements.


Electronic logbooks

Prior to the advent of
mobile computing Mobile computing is human–computer interaction in which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage and allow for transmission of data, which can include voice and video transmissions. Mobile computing involves mobile commun ...
, logbooks were almost exclusively printed and bound in
hard copy In information handling, the U.S. Federal Standard 1037C (Glossary of Telecommunication Terms) defines a hard copy as a permanent reproduction, or copy, in the form of a physical object, of any media suitable for direct use by a person (in par ...
form. While physical logbooks offer advantages in frontline applications with many users (like
aircraft maintenance Aircraft maintenance is the performance of tasks required to ensure the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft or aircraft part, including overhaul, inspection, replacement, defect rectification, and the embodiment of modifications, compliance ...
logs), the proliferation of
cloud computing Cloud computing is "a paradigm for enabling network access to a scalable and elastic pool of shareable physical or virtual resources with self-service provisioning and administration on-demand," according to International Organization for ...
and mobile devices has enabled the development of electronic logbooks. They may be as complex as software packages, or as simple as editable
spreadsheet A spreadsheet is a computer application for computation, organization, analysis and storage of data in tabular form. Spreadsheets were developed as computerized analogs of paper accounting worksheets. The program operates on data entered in c ...
s, but electronic logbooks offer several advantages including virtually unlimited capacity and digital
backup In information technology, a backup, or data backup is a copy of computer data taken and stored elsewhere so that it may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form, referring to the process of doing so, is "wikt:back ...
s.


Applications


Maritime logbooks

To record key navigation, engine watch, port calls and other operational activities on board vessels of all sizes, marine logbooks must meet the specific reporting requirements of IMO, SOLAS and flag states. When maritime logbooks are of the electronic variety, manually-inserted information is normally combined with data recorded from the vessel's instruments such as time and position. Typical marine logbooks are: * Deck logbook – Records navigational events related to the voyage and operations on board *
Dynamic positioning Dynamic positioning (DP) is a computer-controlled system to automatically maintain a vessel's position and heading by using its own propellers and thrusters. Position reference sensors, combined with wind sensors, motion sensors and gyrocompas ...
logbook – Manual recording of operations related to Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations * Engine logbook – Records engine events related to the engine and machinery operation * Oil record book – Records events related to oil and dirty water as required by IMO's MARPOL convention * Operational log – Records events related to vessel operation, i.e. performance, cargo handling and maritime operations. The Operational Log will typically need some customization to owner's requirement and trade. * Port or harbor logbook – Records incoming and outgoing vessels at a port *
Radio Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3  hertz (Hz) and 300  gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connec ...
logbook – Records events relevant to radio traffic as required by IMO and the flag states The maritime industry is increasingly adopting digital logbooks to replace traditional paper-based records, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance with international regulations, and improve data accuracy. A significant development in this field is the creation of ''ISO 4891: Ships and Marine Technology – Interoperability of Smart Applications for Ships''. This standard establishes a framework for the seamless integration of smart applications on vessels, facilitating efficient communication and data exchange between various systems. The standard was developed through a collaboration between
DIN DIN or Din or din may refer to: People and language * Din (name), people with the name * Dīn, an Arabic word with three general senses: judgment, custom, and religion from which the name originates * Dinka language (ISO 639 code: din), spoken ...
, the German Institute for Standardization, and the Japan Ship Technology Research Association and several reputed stakeholders of the maritime industry. The adoption of digital logbooks and the establishment of interoperability standards like ISO 4891 reflect a broader trend towards digital transformation in maritime operations, promoting safer, more efficient, and sustainable shipping practices.


Shift logbooks

On any industrial site, there is a continuous stream of operational, maintenance and safety events occurring at all levels and areas within the process. An electronic shift logbook is used at power plants and in process industry where several shift teams cooperate in maintaining production. Typically the electronic shift logbook is used to record state at the production plant, but it can also contain simple planning functions that notify personnel about upcoming maintenance activities. Compared to the paper logbook the electronic shift logbook enhance the value of the gathered information through; * Search functions * Defined plant hierarchy for registration of logbook entries * Classification according to certain entry types * Statistics about most problematic areas * Management reports Additionally, access to the information storage can be controlled through user authentication and authorizations mechanisms.


Manufacturing logbooks

In manufacturing processes, eLogbook is required to simplify and digitize traditional logbooks and manual paperwork. It offers an easy-to-use platform that allows you to record, track, and manage production activities, inventory, quality control, and maintenance in real-time. With its intuitive interface and robust features, eLogbook revolutionizes the way to manage documentation and saves time and money. Key features and functionalities of eLogbook in the manufacturing process: * Real-time data * Inventory management * Quality control * Maintenance management * Customizable reports * Integration with existing systems


Other applications

It has since been applied to a variety of other uses, including: *
Aircraft pilot An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators because they a ...
s must maintain a
pilot logbook A pilot logbook is a record of a Aircraft pilot, pilot's flying hours. It contains every flight a pilot has flown, including flight time, number of landings, and types of instrument approaches made. Pilots also log flight simulator, simulator tim ...
to record their time spent flying and in a simulator. In addition, aircraft operators must maintain an aircraft technical logbook (or "tech logs") recording the aircraft's flights, maintenance and defects. * In a
project A project is a type of assignment, typically involving research or design, that is carefully planned to achieve a specific objective. An alternative view sees a project managerially as a sequence of events: a "set of interrelated tasks to be ...
, a logbook is a recording which is compiled while it is being done may be called a
project diary A project is a type of assignment, typically involving research or design, that is carefully planned to achieve a specific objective. An alternative view sees a project managerially as a sequence of events: a "set of interrelated tasks to be ...
. In the
PRINCE2 PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method and practitioner certification programme. PRINCE2 emphasises dividing projects into manageable and controllable stages. It is adopted in many countries wor ...
project management framework, daily logs are used to record issues, actions or events not caught by other types of registers or logs within the framework. Examples of other logs or registers in PRINCE2 include the lessons log, risk register, issue register, quality register or backlog. * In
skydiving Parachuting and skydiving are methods of descending from a high point in an atmosphere to the ground or ocean surface with the aid of gravity, involving the control of speed during the descent using a parachute or multiple parachutes. For hu ...
, a logbook serves as a parachutist's personal history in the sport and also serves as an identifying document. It also provides
drop zone A drop zone (DZ) is a place where parachutists or parachuted supplies land. It can be an area targeted for landing by paratroopers and airborne forces, or a base from which recreational parachutists and skydivers take off in aircraft and land ...
s proof to back one's skydiving licenses, ratings and currency. * In
scuba diving Scuba diving is a Diving mode, mode of underwater diving whereby divers use Scuba set, breathing equipment that is completely independent of a surface breathing gas supply, and therefore has a limited but variable endurance. The word ''scub ...
, the
dive log Diving most often refers to: * Diving (sport), the sport of jumping into deep water * Underwater diving, human activity underwater for recreational or occupational purposes Diving or Dive may also refer to: Sports * Dive (American football), ...
documents the experience of a diver by logging a diver's dives. * In the
fishing industry The fishing industry includes any industry or activity that takes, cultures, processes, preserves, stores, transports, markets or sells fish or fish products. It is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization as including recreational, sub ...
, a logbook is used to record catch data as part of the fisheries regulations. It is then submitted to the fishing authorities of the vessel's flag state. * For
amateur radio Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency radio spectrum, spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emer ...
, the logbook is where the hams register their contacts and other radio operations. There are several programs to help radio operators in the management of their logbook. * For
commercial vehicle A commercial vehicle is any type of motor vehicle used for transporting goods or paying passengers. Depending on laws and designations, a commercial vehicle can be any broad type of motor vehicle used commercially or for business purposes. Classi ...
s: In Canada, the United States, New Zealand and other countries, a logbook is used to register driver and operator work time for commercial heavy vehicles. In the United States
hours of service Hours of service (HOS) regulations are issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and govern the working hours of anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in the United States. These regulations apply to truck d ...
are recorded in a logbook. In New Zealand it is referred to as
work-time Work-time is the New Zealand equivalent of drivers' working hours, or time spent doing work-related tasks in an occupation subject to ''Land Transport Rule Work Time and Logbooks 2007, Rule 62001''. Work-time application The rules are applied to ...
. * In the United Kingdom, a
vehicle registration certificate A vehicle registration certificate is an official document providing proof of registration of a vehicle. It is used primarily by governments as a means of ensuring that all road vehicles are on the national vehicle register, but is also used as ...
(V5C) and service history is often referred to as a "logbook". * A race car log book is a document certifying that a car is prepared to a given set of rules and is safe for competitions. *
Lab notebook A laboratory notebook (colloquialism, ''colloq.'' lab notebook or lab book) is a primary record of research. Researchers use a lab notebook to document their hypotheses, experiments and initial analysis or interpretation of these experiments. ...
s and
electronic lab notebook An electronic lab notebook or electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) is a computer program designed to replace paper laboratory notebooks. Lab notebooks in general are used by scientists, engineers, and technicians to document research, experiments ...
s are used in research and scientific settings.


See also

*
Inventor's notebook An inventor's notebook is used by inventors, scientists and engineers to record their ideas, invention process, experimental tests and results and observations. It is not a legal document but is valuable, if properly organized and maintained, since ...
*
Logging (computing) In computing, logging is the act of keeping a log of events that occur in a computer system, such as problems, errors or broad information on current operations. These events may occur in the operating system or in other software. A message or ...
* Service book (disambiguation) *
Timesheet A timesheet (or time sheet) is a method for recording the amount of a worker's time spent on each job. Traditionally a sheet of paper with the data arranged in tabular format, a timesheet is now often a digital document or spreadsheet. The time ...


References

{{Historiography Records management