The Norwegian Maritime Autority has approved the electronic logbooks developed by Safepath AS.

 - Safepath is one of very few providers and the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s approval is a testimony of quality, says development manager at Safepath, Terje Rødahl.

Safepath AS, a locally owned company in Kristiansund, has been developing innovative solutions for the maritime industries for several years. The company has developed electronic logbooks, a service that has been in demand in the market for a long time. As one of very few providers, Safepath has now received the Norwegian Maritime Authority's approval for its electronic logbooks for vessels.

Logbooks are a vessel's legal document. Traditionally, physical books suitable for the purpose have been used. The regulations state that if something happens on the vessel, the logbooks are the first thing to take with you. Important information and historical data can disappear in the event of an accident if this is a physical book.

The logbooks contain critical documentation that is essential for recreating events or understanding what has happened. It is therefore strongly recommended that all types of vessels keep both deck and engine logbooks, regardless of what the legislation says. Logbooks are a log of events and the state of the vessel that must be kept on board all types of vessels. In Norway, the regulations are set by the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries, and the responsibility mainly falls on the captain.

More than a logbook: provides increased safety and a better overview.

Electronic logbooks ensure that essential information is stored digitally regardless of the situation on board. This gives the crew a simplified process around registration and signing, ensures correct guidance and the possibility of effective communication during and after various incidents.

Safepath has accomplished to digitize these logbooks to access important information at all times. There is no use in a logbook lying at the bottom of the sea, but that can be avoided with Safepath's electronic logbooks.
-Development manager Terje Rødahl.

If the vessel goes down and the logbooks sinks, Safepath has the log mirrored in the safety management systems from the emergency response center in Kristiansund.

If something happens at sea, Safepath personnel can use data from the logbooks to assist HRS (the main rescue center) with important information to save material assets and personnel quicker. Safepath has consulted with the Norwegian Maritime Autority during the development process to meet regulatory requirements and ensure a good result with a simple user interface, says Terje Rødahl.

Data from the logbooks can make it easier for the rescuers to assist because they get useful information about the course of the incident, the number of people on board, the status of fuel and the damage potential for pollution. The biggest advantage is nevertheless a simplified everyday life for everyone on board, and by having all data available electronically, you have immediate access to historical data, statistics, and the status of the vessel. For the customer, it also ensures redundancy, and less administration of physical books for everyday use and archiving. 

The Norwegian Maritime Authority's approval shows that Safepath's electronic logbooks are equivalent to other providers of electronic logbooks. The Norwegian Maritime Authority welcomes this as part of the future of maritime industry, and Safepath has thus received yet another testimony of quality as a supplier to the maritime sector.