omitting auxiliaries and articles in logs [closed]

Entries made in logbooks are associated with specific times, whether to the minute or to longer periods such as an hour or the day. When recording events on short time scales for the purpose of record rather than continuous explanation there is no need to give a fully grammatical narrative. The author’s prime duty is to their activities. This means time may limit the amount that can be written, and context removes the need for prose.

14:00 cast off. 14:05 passed outer harbour wall. 14:55 heavy seas. 15:00 turned ship. 16:15 moored in dock. 17:00 all made fast. 17:30 crew ashore, watch posted.

There is no general rule. Other logs may be a full narrative, with asides, explanations and opinions.

See for example George Campbell’s log letters from the Challenger Expedition.

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175130#page/19/mode/1up