LEGAL RECORDS The Engineering Log, NAVSEA 3120/2, and the Engineer’s  Bell  Book,  NAVSEA  3120/1,  are  legal records  of  the  engineering  department.  Completed Engineering  Log  and  Engineer’s  Bell  Book  sheets  are kept on board as permanent records. However, they may be released when requested by a Navy court or board, or the Department of the Navy. If it is necessary for any part of these records to be removed from the ship, a photostatic copy of the material to be removed is prepared for the ship’s files and certified as a true copy by the engineer officer. Completed Engineering Log and Engineer’s Bell Book sheets may be destroyed 3 years after the date of the last entries. When a ship is stricken  from  the  list  of  naval  ships,  its  current Engineering  Log  and  Engineer’s  Bell  Book  sheets  are forwarded to the nearest naval records management center. Sheets less than 3 years old are kept on board when a ship is placed in an inactive status. ENGINEERING  LOG The Engineering Log, NAVSEA 3120/2 (fig. 2-1), together with the log continuation sheet, is a complete daily record by watches. It is a record of important events  and  data  pertaining  to  the  engineering  department and the ship’s propulsion plant. The log must show the average hourly rpm (to the nearest tenth) for all shafts; the speed in knots; the total engine miles steamed for the day;  all  major  speed  changes;  draft  and  displacement upon getting underway and anchoring; fuel, water, and lubricating oil on hand, received, and expended; the disposition  of  the  engines,  boilers,  and  principal auxiliaries and any changes in their disposition; any injuries  to  engineering  department  personnel;  any casualties  to  machinery,  equipment,  or  material;  and such  other  matters  specified  by  competent  authority. Entries in the Engineering Log are made according to instructions (1) on the log sheet, (2) in chapter 090 of the Naval Ships Technical Manual  (NSTM), and (3) in directives  issued  by  the  type  commander.  Each  entry must be a complete statement and employ standard phraseology.  The  type  commander’s  directives  contain other requirements pertaining to the Remarks section of Engineering Logs for ships of the type; the engineer officer must ensure compliance with these directives. The  original  Engineering  Log,  prepared  neatly  and legibly in ink or pencil, is the legal record. The remarks should  by  prepared  and  must  be  signed  by  the engineering officer of the watch (EOOW) underway or the  engineering  duty  officer  in-port,  whichever  applies. The log may NOT contain erasures. When a correction is necessary, a single line is drawn through the original entry so the entry remains legible. The correct entry is inserted in a reamer as to ensure clarity and legibility. Only the person required to sign the log for the watch may make corrections, additions, or changes. He must then initial the change in the margin of the page. The  engineer  officer  verifies  the  accuracy  and completeness of all entries and signs the log daily. The commanding officer approves the log and signs it on the last calendar day of each month and on the date he relinquishes command. The engineer officer should require that the log sheets be submitted to him in time to be checked and signed before noon of the first day following the date of the log sheet(s). The completed pages are filed in a post-type binder and are numbered consecutively. They begin with the first day of each calendar year and go through the last day of the calendar year. When the commanding officer (or engineer officer) directs a change or addition to the Engineering Log, the person  concerned  must  comply  unless  he  believes  the proposed  change  or  addition  is  incorrect.  In  that  event, the commanding officer (or engineer officer) enters such remarks  over  his  signature  as  he  believes  are appropriate.  After  the  log  has  been  signed  by  the commanding officer, it may not be changed without his permission  or  direction. ENGINEER’S BELL BOOK The Engineer’s Bell Book, NAVSEA 3120/1 (fig. 2-2), is a record of all bells, signals, and other orders received by the throttleman regarding movement of the ship’s propellers. Entries are made in the Bell Book by the throttleman as soon as an order is received. The assistant  usually  makes  the  entries  when  the  ship  is entering or leaving port, or engaging in any maneuver that may involve frequent speed changes. This allows the throttleman to devote his attention to answering the signals. The  Bell  Book  is  maintained  in  the  following manner: 1. A separate bell sheet is used for each shaft each day, except where more than one shaft is controlled by the same throttle station. In that case, the same bell sheet is used to record the orders for all shafts controlled by the station. All sheets for the same date are filed together as a single record. 2. The time of receipt of the order is recorded in column 1 (fig. 2-2). 3.  The  order  received  is  recorded  in  column  2. Minor speed changes are recorded by entering the 2-2