This is the equivalent of a detailed oral history of practical knowledge about conducting all manner of sea-going oceanographic fieldwork - transcribed, organized, and indexed in a comprehensive volume. Written for students of oceanography (or interested amateurs), it includes thought-provoking exercises following each chapter. The knowledge and skills covered in this book are still relevant, with fewer opportunities for young ... Read moreoceanographers to acquire them. It is the sum of nearly sixty years' experience in the field, the kind of information `you can't learn in school' - until now. There is no other book like it, and probably no one other than George Maul who could have written it so well. - Doug Wilson, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 'Everybody's in the same boat' is more than a metaphor when you're at sea. Dr. Maul's book provides the knowledge needed to make you a better shipmate, your cruise more enjoyable, and everyone safer. It's written in an entertaining and informative way, with a pleasant blend of history and tradition, science, and practical matters. Maul is extraordinarily qualified to write such a book, with all of the credentials and experience required to relay this information. -Mark Bushnell, CoastalObsTechServices, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA The book is well written and holds the reader's attention. It has elements of documented history along with actual sea-going `practices' that are necessary for the Ocean or Marine Engineer, Oceanographer, or any person needing to work or live on the seas. -Stephen Wood, Florida Institute of Technology, USA A copy of the Companion aboard every research vessel, a copy in every lab that sends students to sea, a copy in every oceanographic and marine lab library would all be usefully browsed by both novice and experienced scientists alike. -Oceanography, Volume 30, No. 3 Show Less