Canada issues bulletin with guidelines for implementation of Electronic Record Books

Transport Canada has issued a ship safety bulletin No. 08/2024 regarding the requirements for the use of an Electronic Record Books System.

The bulletin was published on 1 March 2024.

Scope:
This bulletin applies to Canadian vessels that use an electronic record book for maintaining record-keeping.

Purpose:
This bulletin explains the criteria contained in the policy that an Electronic Record Books System must meet for it to be used as an alternative to traditional paper logbooks and recording.

What you need to know:
An Electronic Record Books System must be certified (e.g., type approval, statement, or declaration) by one of the Canadian Recognized Organizations (RO), in accordance with the following publications as amended from time to time:

a. IMO resolution MEPC.312(74) Guidelines for the use of electronic record books under MARPOL,

b. IMO resolution A.916(22) Guidelines for the Recording of Events Related to Navigation, Navigation Safety Regulations, and

c. ISO 21745 Electronic record books for ships - Technical specifications and operational requirements or an equivalent technical and operational standards acceptable to a Recognized Organization.

Before using an Electronic Record Books System, vessel operators need to provide to the Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) regional office or the Recognized Organization the case may be to the Tier-I-Policy - Acceptance of Electronic Record Books System a statement confirming:

• a statement confirming the system is installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations,
• the users are trained and familiarized with the management, and the usage of the system,
• operation of the system located onboard, and
• the system operating manual is located onboard and readily available to the users.

Vessels engaged on international voyages including the United States of America, shall be issued, upon request, a declaration of the MARPOL electronic record book by the TCMSS regional office or the RO.

Please consult the policy to access the list of acceptable logbooks and record keeping as an alternative to paper hard copy.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Requirements for the use of an Electronic Record Books System