The document provides guidance on transitioning vessel documentation from paper log books to electronic records in Helm. It lists the contents that were previously recorded in the Red Log Book, such as watch checklists, crew changes, fuel and waste management, safety meetings, and radio logs. Regulations now allow electronic record keeping as long as records can be provided to the Coast Guard. Removing the paper Red Log Books will reduce workload by eliminating duplicate entries between paper and electronic logs.

1. Red Log Book
Transition to HELM
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2. ContentsDefinition of ‘TVR’ ………………………………………………………………….3
Voyage Checklist …………………………………………………………….........4
Watch Change Checklist …………………………………………………………5
Crew On / Off …………………………………………………………………….....6
Fuel / Lube / Water & Waste Management ……………………………7-9
Safety Meetings & Drills Log ………………………………………………….10
• Fire Drill ………………………………………………………………………………………11
• Safety / Quality Meeting …………………………………………………………....12
• Other Drill …………………………………………………………………………………..13
• Security Drill ……………………………………………………………………………….14
• Q/I – Spill Drill …………………………………………………………………….........15
• OTHER Safety / Quality Meetings ………………………………………….......16
Crew Work Hours …………………………………………………………….......17
Radio Log ……………………………………………………………………………...18
Other Items ………………………………………………….19
• Pre-Critical Task Conference (PCTC)……………………………………………..20
• Bilge Serialized Tags ……..…………………………………………………………....21
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3. Towing Vessel Record (TVR)
TVR is defined as the electronic record of vessel documentation and
inspections captured in Helm that are not logged in Wheelmate/Atlas.
The Red Log Book has always been considered the legal record of vessel activities. Regulations
require that we keep these logs, however, 46 CFR Subchapter M regulations state that this log may
be kept on paper or electronically as long as the records are made available to the Coast Guard
upon request. The purpose of removing the Red Log Books is to reduce the workload on
wheelhouse personnel by eliminating unnecessary double log entries in electronic and paper logs.
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4. Voyage
Checklist
4

5. Watch
Change
Checklist
Per C3.030.00, Watch Change:
“by logging into the Wheelman on Watch section of
Wheelmate/Atlas, the oncoming Watch Officer
acknowledges that all items listed have been
considered and/or discussed with the Officer on
Watch prior to assuming the watch.”
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6. Crew On/ Off
As already done, continue to complete E-Form:
15, Actual Crew Change.
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7. Fuel / Lube
7

8. Fuel / Lube –
Continued
8
You will no longer be required to submit E-Form:55 each month
as the information is being captured through the Daily Engine
Room Log shown here.
Same reporting period will still apply, and the monthly total
resets at 2359 on the 28th of each month, as instructed above.

9. Water /
Waste
Management
9

10. Safety
Meetings &
Drills Log
10

11. Fire Drill
11

12. Safety/Quality
Meeting
12

13. Other Drill
13

14. Security Drill
14

15. Q/I – Spill
Drill
15

16. OTHER
Safety
Meetings &
Drills Log
16

17. Crew Work
Hours
(Green pages)
17

18. Radio Log
(Blue pages)
18
DAILY:
Per C3.170, Standing Radio Watch, “verification that communication
equipment is in good order, verified by actual communication or test call, and
documented as per the Watch Change Checklist.”

19. 19
Other Items Now Captured via Helm….

20. Pre-Critical
Task
Conference
(PCTC)
20

21. Bilge
Serialized
Tags
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22. Should you have any questions,
please contact your Port Captain.
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