The book is divided into three sections. The first section describes the features of a ship and the different methods of manoeuvring it. The second section deals with the forces which influence the movement of a ship and the final section describes the factors which affect the ship during manoeuvres (mooring, sailing in shallows, manoeuvring in the docks, etc.). The emphasis is placed on external factors which can influence the manoeuvring characteristics of a ship. The initial approach is at a basic level, suitable for pilots in training, for example. The field of ship dynamics is then explored in more depth for seafarers with a greater knowledge of the subject.

The book analyses all aspects of the manoeuvring features of ships on both open water and narrow waterways, with reference to the recommendations of the STCW Convention, which sets out the required manoeuvring abilities of helmsmen.

Author Hervé Baudu is a teacher in maritime training who has 15 years’ experience working on board ships, achieving the rank of captain. He taught manoeuvres first at the ‘Ecole Navale’, then at the National Maritime College of France (ENSM) in Marseille.

The book is intended for both students in maritime education who are learning basic manoeuvring skills and seafarers with extensive manoeuvring experience who want to expand their knowledge in this field.

In 2012 the book was awarded the esteemed Grand Prize from the French national maritime society (L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure Maritime).