The Nautical Institute has launched its latest book to set the standards for aspiring Masters facing the task of their first command. The Nautical Institute on Command third edition will also appeal to experienced Masters, as its coverage explains aspects of the job they may not have yet experienced.
Contributors from around the world have distilled their knowledge and experience into short essays as if they were having a quick conversion with a new Master before taking up their first command. “We asked the 47 authors to consider what they wished they had known about their chosen subject when they first took command on the bridge on that momentous day,” said Captain Robert McCabe FNI, President of The Nautical Institute.
Speaking at the book launch in San Francisco during the Institute’s AGM, he said, “the book would be a valuable reference for Masters throughout their career. It would also give aspiring chief officers an insight into the skills and abilities they would need to bring in order to be a successful Master.”
Technical Editor of the Book, Captain Trevor Bailey FNI, said, “Many new Masters have served with commanding officers who were inspirational, others who were totally forgettable and some they would not wish to emulate."
He added, “The book has a strong technical stance but also looks behind the scenes to the soft skills that are increasingly important for today’s modern fleets with their multi-cultural crews and increasing technical demands.”
In his foreword to the book, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert AFNI FIMarEST congratulates the new Master: “You set the tone for the quality of life onboard; you set the standards for behaviour and welcome.