Book excerpt: Two of Fernhurst Books' most popular compact, handy guides – the Cockpit Companion and New Crew's Companion – have been bundled together in e-book form for the first time. The perfect quick reference guides to keep on your phone or tablet, easily accessible when you are on board. They are an on-the-water aide memoire of everything the skipper and crew need to know – or find out quickly – when cruising. The Cockpit Companion provides a wide range of information: from lights, shapes and sound signals to knots, ropes and engine troubleshooting. With diagrams and illustrations throughout, this quick reference guide will help to keep you safe when out at sea. The New Crew's Companion is specifically designed for those new to sailing covering what clothes to bring, what the things on the deck are called, how to start helping with the sails and other deckwork. There is also an important section on safety and one on living aboard. It allows new sailors to know what to expect and get the most out of their first sailing experiences. This will be a valued companion for skipper and crew – even first-time crew members.