Logging miles for Captain's License
 

Hi. I am sixteen, and live on a sailboat; I want to start logging miles in case I want to get a captain's license when I'm older. Is there a specific way I have to log miles in order for it to be considered "authentic" or "real"? Can I just use a logbook and write in it normally as we sail, or are there specific details or information that I need to include, or a specific way I need to lay out such information? It would be a shame to log miles for the next two years, but then discover I've done it in a way that doesn't count officially. Just wondering if there's a certain way to do this.

Thanks a lot.

L.

Re: Logging miles for Captain's License
 

It's time, not miles that count. The following website provides the details, along with a link to the USCG form that documents your sea service time.

Documenting Sea Time

Re: Logging miles for Captain's License
 

As noted above you report it on your sea service form.

Getting your time into a logbook is the way to record it. You should sign and date your logbook entries as well.

If you crew on others boats have them sign your logbook too where you can.

You want to establish a consistent record of your activities. This gives weight to your records should there be any question. No blank pages, just a series of log entries that document your activities. It becomes a legal record (but I'm not a lawyer!)