MERCHANT MARINE OFFICER'S HANDBOOK

For over four and a half decades, the Merchant Marine Officers' Handbook has served as an indispensable guide for new deck officers seeking guidance on their professional responsibilities. Despite its longevity and enduring popularity within the maritime industry, it had become increasingly evident that a comprehensive update was necessary to ensure its continued relevance. This has now been accomplished.

While the maritime industry may be steeped in tradition, and there may be nostalgia for the past, the demands of modern economics necessitate adaptation. Sophisticated and versatile equipment has revolutionized the industry, placing greater demands on the knowledge and skills of licensed officers than ever before. Although sail power has disappeared, the licensed officers remain central to any vessel. They must possess strong seamanship skills, technical expertise across multiple domains, advanced qualifications, and unwavering dedication. This edition represents a complete overhaul of the original text, retaining only the core mission: "… for use for reference purposes on board ship, as well as to meet current requirements for the deck officer’s license.”

The editor has enlisted experts in their respective fields to achieve this goal, recognising that the sheer scope of the subject matter surpasses the capabilities of any single individual. The primary challenge for the editor has been striking a balance between comprehensiveness and brevity, carefully selecting which topics to include and exclude.