46 CFR 97.35-3: Official and unofficial logbooks and records
Last reviewed: October 26, 2026
This section sets logbook duties for the master or person in charge. A vessel required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook uses form CG-706 and files it after the voyage. A vessel not required to have one keeps an unofficial logbook or record on board, plus separate fire fighting equipment records.
Applies toThe master or person in charge of a vessel, whether or not the vessel is required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook.
What it says
The master or person in charge of a vessel required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook must maintain the logbook on form CG-706.
46 CFR 97.35-3(a)“shall maintain the logbook on form CG-706”
When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge of a vessel required to have an official logbook must file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
46 CFR 97.35-3(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 must keep an unofficial logbook or record on board, in any form desired, for making entries required by law or regulations in this subchapter.
46 CFR 97.35-3(b)“shall maintain, on board, 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”
For a vessel not required to have an official logbook, 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 97.35-3(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.”
For a vessel not required 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 97.35-3(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 is used for an official logbook?
A vessel required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook must keep it on form CG-706.
“shall maintain the logbook on form CG-706”
Do I file my unofficial logbook with the Coast Guard?
No. 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.
“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.”
How long must fire fighting equipment test records be kept on a vessel without an official logbook?
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.
“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.”
When must an official logbook be filed?
When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge must file the official logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
“When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge shall file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.”
The text of 46 CFR 97.35-3
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 a vessel that is required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook shall maintain the logbook on form CG-706. 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 board, 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.