The Engineering Log is a legal record that must be retained onboard for how many years?

The Engineering Log holds significant importance as it serves as a legal document that captures essential operational data and events in the engineering spaces of a vessel. This log must be maintained for a specified duration to ensure compliance with regulations and to provide a historical account of the ship's engineering operations.

The retention period is set at three years, which allows for proper record-keeping and accountability for maintenance, operational standards, and safety procedures. Keeping the log for this length of time also aids in investigations and assessments that may arise during audits or inspections, ensuring that there is a reliable reference regarding engineering practices and any incidents that occurred on board.

The other time frames listed do not meet the regulatory requirements for record retention in the context of the Engineering Log, which underscores the importance of maintaining the log for the established three-year period.