Trade Winds: A Voyage to a Sustainable Future for Shipping by Christiaan De Beukelaer is a book that blends a personal narrative with an analysis of the shipping industry’s urgent need for decarbonization, using the author’s five-month journey on the sailing cargo ship Avontuur during the COVID-19 pandemic as a backdrop. It explores the realities of wind-powered cargo transport as a sustainable alternative, while also addressing the social and political challenges of creating a greener, more equitable maritime future, including seafarer rights and the impact of the pandemic on global supply chains. Available from your public library or from an independent bookseller
Carrying Cargo
This was one of my favorite books to check out from the library when I was younger. It describes a mostly bygone era in cargo shipping from the perspective of a passenger on a round-the-world cargo liner. I don’t even think round-the-world cargo liner service even exists anymore. Even so, the book does describe the growing importance of containerization which is widespread today. If you want to learn the basics of what the operation of an old-school cargo vessel is like, then this book is for you.
May be available at your public library or at used bookstores including Ebay
Wind Propulsion for ships of the American Merchant Marine
“Wind Propulsion for Ships of the American Merchant Marine” is a comprehensive 1981 research report by Lloyd Bergeson and others and the Wind Ship Development Corporation for the U.S. Maritime Administration, documenting research into sailing rigs for commercial vessels. It identifies promising wind technologies—including soft sails and wing sails—for auxiliary propulsion to reduce fuel consumption.
A soft cover book is available from the collection of the University of Michigan Library (unfortunately only available from Amazon, do a little research) and online for download from the Hathi Trust or Google Books
Knights Modern Seamanship
Knight’s Modern Seamanship is a classic, comprehensive nautical manual by Austin M. Knight, first published in 1918, that serves as a trusted guide for both professional mariners and recreational boaters on ship handling, navigation, safety, and seamanship. The book has been continuously updated through numerous editions, with later versions revised by figures like Captain John V. Noel, Jr., and covers essential topics such as rules of the road, weather, ship structure, stability, and modern communication equipment.
Available from Abe Books and other independent and used book sellers and as an early version as a PDF
Auxiliary Sail Vessel Operations — for the aspiring professional sailor
This text has been developed to provide a firm foundation for men and women working toward earning US Coast Guard licenses to operate auxiliary-powered sailing yachts and vessels. Initially created as a course curriculum for classes in sail vessel operations at the Maine Maritime Academy, this revised and updated second edition contains new material on bridge resource management, risk assessment, safety aloft, and more. Designed to accompany the sailor as a study guide and point of reference, it calls attention to the myriad constant and critical elements of professional yacht and vessel management in both theory and practice. Subjects covered include seamanship aboard sailing vessels, relevant hydrodynamic and aerodynamic theory, basic and advanced sailing maneuvers, planning and managing for crew and vessel safety, meteorology for sailors, heavy-weather sailing, emergencies at sea, and vessel administration as related to Coast Guard rules and regulations.
Available at Abe Books, Maryland Nautical, and other independent and used book stores
Merchant Marine Officers’ Handbook
The Merchant Marine Officers’ Handbook by William A. MacEwen is a classic, comprehensive textbook and study guide for maritime professionals, first published in 1942, covering essential topics like navigation, rules of the road, and engineering for licensing exams and experienced mariners. Often co-authored with Edward A. Turpin in later editions, it serves as a foundational reference for the maritime industry.
Available from Thrift Books, Bookshop.org, other independent used book stores, and Google Books
The Ashley Book of Knots
This is the definitive book on knots. Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to “Marlinspike Seamanship.” Mr. Ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. Precisely named and classified (some new ones for the first time officially), they can be easily found in the big index. He tells when they appeared, something about their history, and what they are good for. There are explicit directions on how to tie them. Each step is described simply and clearly with some 7000 drawings.
Available at Abe Books and other independent and used book stores. The full text is also available on Internet Archive and Google Books.
