Keeping safe on the water

Boating Skills and Seamanship
By U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
McGraw Hill Education, International Marine
Softcover, 405 pages
www.internationalmarine.com
The auxiliary works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard on search and rescue and boating safety and is the largest U.S. boating educator in that country.

It has come up with a 14th edition of its popular primer for boaters who want to learn about seamanship.

Topics covered include choosing the right boat and safety equipment, like electronics, locator beacons, and boat handling, trailering, and other, important safety topics.

This book is written like a study guide, complete with chapter review questions and answers, to test your knowledge.

Both sailing and powerboats are covered, and the book features colour graphics, charts and photographs, making it easier for the novice to understand concepts.

Although the regulations are for the U.S., the general concepts, such as recognizing severe weather fronts, tying standard knots, docking and collision avoidance apply to everyone. This book is ideal for the safety conscience among us.