46 CFR 196.35-3: Logbooks and records on vessels
Last reviewed: October 26, 2026
This section covers logbooks and records kept by the master or person in charge. Paragraph (a) covers an oceanographic research vessel that is required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook. Paragraph (b) covers a vessel that is not required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook, which must keep an unofficial logbook or record.
Applies toParagraph (a) applies to the master or person in charge of an oceanographic research vessel required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook; paragraph (b) applies to the master or person in charge of a vessel not required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have one.
What it says
The master or person in charge of an oceanographic research vessel required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook may keep it on form CG-706 or in the owner's format.
46 CFR 196.35-3(a)“may maintain the logbook on form CG-706 or in the owner's format for an official logbook”
For an oceanographic research vessel with an official logbook, the logs must be kept available for review for 1 year after the date to which the records refer, or for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection, whichever is longer.
46 CFR 196.35-3(a)“Such logs must be kept available for a review for a period of 1 year after the date to which the records refer, or for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection, whichever is longer.”
When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge of an oceanographic research vessel with an official logbook shall file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
46 CFR 196.35-3(a)“When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge shall file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.”
The master or person in charge of a vessel not required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook shall keep an unofficial logbook or record, in any form desired, for entries required by law or regulations in this subchapter.
46 CFR 196.35-3(b)“shall maintain, on aboard, an unofficial logbook or record in any form desired for the purposes of making entries therein as required by law or regulations in this subchapter”
Unofficial logs or records are not filed with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. They must be kept available for review by a marine inspector for 1 year after the date to which the records refer.
46 CFR 196.35-3(b)“Such logs or records are not filed with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, but must be kept available for review by a marine inspector for a period of 1 year after the date to which the records refer.”
On a vessel not required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook, separate records of tests and inspections of fire fighting equipment must be kept with the vessel's logs for the period of validity of the vessel's certificate of inspection.
46 CFR 196.35-3(b)“Separate records of tests and inspections of fire fighting equipment must be maintained with the vessel's logs for the period of validity of the vessel's certificate of inspection.”
Common questions
What form can an official logbook be kept on?
On an oceanographic research vessel required to have an official logbook, the master or person in charge may keep it on form CG-706 or in the owner's format.
“may maintain the logbook on form CG-706 or in the owner's format for an official logbook”
Who files the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection?
The master or person in charge of an oceanographic research vessel with an official logbook shall file it when the voyage is completed. Unofficial logs or records are not filed with that officer.
“When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge shall file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.”
How long must fire fighting equipment test records be kept?
For a vessel not required to have an official logbook, separate records of fire fighting equipment tests and inspections must be kept with the vessel's logs for the period of validity of the vessel's certificate of inspection.
“Separate records of tests and inspections of fire fighting equipment must be maintained with the vessel's logs for the period of validity of the vessel's certificate of inspection.”
The text of 46 CFR 196.35-3
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Logbooks and records
(a) The master or person in charge of an oceanographic research vessel that is required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook may maintain the logbook on form CG-706 or in the owner's format for an official logbook. Such logs must be kept available for a review for a period of 1 year after the date to which the records refer, or for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection, whichever is longer. When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge shall file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
(b) The master or person in charge of a vessel that is not required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook, shall maintain, on aboard, an unofficial logbook or record in any form desired for the purposes of making entries therein as required by law or regulations in this subchapter. Such logs or records are not filed with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, but must be kept available for review by a marine inspector for a period of 1 year after the date to which the records refer. Separate records of tests and inspections of fire fighting equipment must be maintained with the vessel's logs for the period of validity of the vessel's certificate of inspection.
Sections it refers to
- 46 U.S.C. 11301
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.