Which document is used to track voyage incidents and deviations during PSC?

• A. The Pilot Card
• B. The Ship’s Logbook (Deck/Bridge Log)
• C. The Engine Maintenance Log
• D. The Vessel Safety Manual

Answer: (B)

Tracking voyage incidents and deviations during Port State Control hinges on the ship’s deck/bridge log as the official, continuous record of the voyage. This log captures navigational status, course changes, speed, position fixes, weather, warnings, communications, and actions taken by the watch officers. Because it is maintained in real time and signed, it serves as the primary evidence of what occurred during the voyage, including any deviations from planned routes or procedures. Inspectors rely on this documented history to verify compliance with regulations and to understand the sequence of events if an incident or deviation is raised.

The other documents serve different purposes and do not function as the voyage’s incident tracker. A Pilot Card covers pilotage details and specific handovers with a pilot, not the full voyage record. The Engine Maintenance Log records machinery maintenance and faults, not navigational events. The Vessel Safety Manual outlines procedures and safety policies, but it does not provide the day-to-day chronicle of the voyage.