Book excerpt: Seafarers must be prepared to cope with the worst situations that the sea can offer. In this new edition, Meurn gives seamen the most up-to-date information in avoiding and dealing with dangers at sea. Topics include abandon ship procedures, crew overboard, search and rescue techniques, and survival methods. Since this book can be used as a text for those preparing to be Coast Guard certified lifeboatmen, the appendices contain lifeboat, rescue boat, and rigid life raft equipment descriptions, inspection guidelines, and sample Coast Guard examination questions and answers.