A data storing method for a marine propulsion system uses two groups of three data logs each in which each data log comprises a plurality of data records. The information on preselected parameters are stored into the data records of the three data logs at different time increments. This allows the three data logs to cover a relatively long period of time at a lesser resolution, a shortest period of time at a highest resolution, and an intermediate period of time at an intermediate resolution. This allows an analyst to carefully review the various parameter magnitudes during the periods of time immediately preceding a catastrophic event, such as an accident or an engine failure, either of which resulting in an engine shut down.