The Island Link Logbook
Date/TimeEntry TypeEntered bySpeed(kts)HeadingConditionsLat/LongWind SpeedWind DirWave Hgt
1-5-2011 20:22Trip StartJohn Petersen, Captain,Owner12ENEForce 21270/335016WSW2
We raised anchor today, with some mishaps including the loss of Marks sunglasses into the drink. We can look for them at the next low tide. Anchor line showed some wear, will need to inspect again during voyage to Bermuda. Crew is anxious to get there. There are already rumors of a mutiny. My daughter katherine brought along 4 rolls of especially strong duct tape, and she shouted "this is for taping up people who misbehave daddy" ! She also cursed like a sailor, or should I say hoodlum.
1-5-2011 22:22Trip EntryJohn Petersen, Captain,Owner12ENEForce 21270/335016WSW2
We are now sailing in a 15knot breeze under full main and working jib. Expect to make Sandy hook in 2 hours. Crew has taken dramamine in anticipation of 10fts seas when we hit the Atlantic.
1-5-2011 20:22Trip StartJohn Petersen, Captain,Owner12ENEForce 21270/335016WSW2
Just rounded Sandy Hook. Expect to switch to the storm job soon if winds continue to in increase. Waves are especially choppy, we hope they smooth out as we go deeper.
1-5-2011 20:22Trip StartJohn Petersen, Captain,Owner12ENEForce 21270/335016WSW2
Further out to sea, seas are calming, we have about 4-5 rogue waves hit the anchor and almost knock it loose. Crew is nervous

What is a logbook?
A logbook was originally a book for recording readings from the a device called a chip log, and was used to determine the distance a ship traveled within a certain amount of time. The readings of the log would have been recorded in equal times to give the distance traveled with respect to a given start position.

Today's ship's log has grown to contain many other types of information, and is a record of operational data relating to a ship, such as weather conditions, times of routine events and significant incidents, ports that were visited and when. It is essential to traditional navigation, and still is used widely today for personal and commercial use. 
Why create a logbook?
There are many reasons to create and maintain a logbook.
-Memories of all of the good times you had at sea
-Insurance (it is a legal artifact in the case of a maritime incident)
-Future trips: Consulting your own or others experiences can greatly assist in navigation and ideas for trip planning
-Sharing with other Captains- one of the reasons we built this site was to share our experiences of the open sea with fellow mariners