Detailed records of all events associated with the accident or the breakdown of machinery or equipment, and the salvage services subsequently rendered.
The records may be in any form. All contemporaneous notes, whether on scraps of paper, in movement books or log books, together with course, rudder angle, depth and other records should be kept. Appropriate entries should be made in deck and engine room logs and in the Official Log Book. A record should be made of: particulars of the vessel and her cargo; the condition of the vessel including its position, proximity to the shore, nature of the sea bed, the condition of the engines and anchors, the availability of crew, etc.; all salvage services rendered; all expenses incurred (overtime, hire of boats, etc. ); and the weather conditions prevailing.
