ect: Radar and Basic Nav.
From: "Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom
Date: 09/02/2003 18:46 Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:

I thought the bell log was maintained traditionally by the oiler, and was a
record of
shaft RPMs. I assume now its automatic and merged with GPS output.

Actually, EG Neal almost got this one totally correct.
The "Bell" book used to be kept by the engineer on watch and another, by the
Mate on watch, while maneuvering, and was mainly a log of the time and type of
engine order, starting with SBE and ending with FWE (Some ships would call SBE
on Arrival) Symbols were used for the bells to facilitate noting them.
Some ships would also include major nav points in the Bell Book, but this was
rare.
Nowadays, this is an automated system, which includes just Engine orders and is
solely based on time .... no GPS input ..... sometimes one on the bridge and
one in the E.R.

Shen