We hope that this case will never happen, but unfortunately there might be a situation where you have to use your logbook as evidence.
In some forums you can read about this topic: “Throw your logbook overboard if you are involved in an accident. Then no one can prove anything against you.” But that is the worst thing you can do. Because that disqualifies you as a skipper and puts you on a worse footing from the start.
A well-kept logbook is considered proof of good seamanship – and this is one of the basic requirements for a skipper. The more you have noted in your logbook during the voyage, the better. That’s why we also recommend using the additional entry options on the cards ⏱, 📍, 🌦 and 📓.
In the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea there are only vague statements about how exactly a logbook for recreational boating has to look like and what has to be recorded in it. There is still no mention of digital logbooks, although these are declared as allowed in other places.
The key requirements are that it must be a bound booklet or book. Loose sheets are not permissible. Pages may not be torn out. Furthermore, it must be recognizable if entries have been changed subsequently. The logbook must not be written with erasable pens.
Logbook Lite has integrated numerous functions that transfer these requirements to the digital world, ensuring that your logbook is evidential: Deletion of already created entries is not possible, several independent time stamps show where entries have been changed later and with his signature the skipper confirms the correctness of the entries