The Nautical Institute has launched its latest book today (Monday) to set the standards for aspiring Masters facing the daunting task of their first command. The Nautical Institute on Command third edition will also appeal to experienced Masters, as its comprehensive 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
Captain Robert McCabe, President of The Nautical Institute
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.”
“So you have been successful in passing your exams and you are now in possession of a CoC which states you can take command, ” continued Captain McCabe. “That is just the beginning. We at the Institute will try, through this book and other volumes in our portfolio, to help you become not just a good Master, but an excellent one.”
He added: “This is a key part of a long running project which is the passion of all in the Institute – our mentoring campaign. We may not be physically with you there on the bridge but help and advice is always close to hand in this volume.”
Technical Editor of the Book, Captain Trevor Bailey FNI, said that “many new Masters have served with commanding officers who were inspirational, others who were totally forgettable and some they would not wish to emulate.
Captain Trevor Bailey FNI, Technical Editor
“You will have learned something from them all and this book is in the spirit of distilling all those learning experiences in order to pass them on for the benefit of readers.”
He added that “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.
“You are the arbiter for the crew’s lives at sea and they will subconsciously adopt your style. You have a unique opportunity to influence the lives and careers of your juniors. It’s an awesome but intensely gratifying responsibility and experience.”
The Nautical Institute on Command third edition is available from The Nautical Institute price: £45; ISBN: 978 1 906915 21 6
http://www.nautinst.org/pubs
“Jo”
