This book reflects the Australian spirit of generosity and community effort.

The third edition has come a long way from where it started. Back in 1995, John Anderson of Yachting NSW walked the manuscript of the first edition through Yachting Australia’s endorsement process. Don McKenzie, whom I had never met, phoned to tell me that he had read and ‘highly recommended’ it, which was endorsed by Alastair Mitchell, and remains endorsed by Phil Jones, the current CEO of Yachting Australia.

It was endorsed with equal enthusiasm by Chris Gillett, National Commodore of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Keith Jenkins, FOC of the Royal Volunteer Coastal patrol, and Roy Privett, General Manager of the Boating Industry Association of NSW. My sincere thanks to Tom Reed, President of the Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia and Inspector Mick Lynch of NSW Water Police for their endorsement of the Third Edition.

Once again, people from most unexpected places, people with busy lives and people I have never met have spent time and effort in helping me to put this edition of the book together. To name a few: Lorraine Dodds and Bob Cowley of Volvo Penta, Darren Hood of Detroit Diesel, Alex Johnston of Muir Windlasses, Don Power of Yamaha Motors, Roger Davey and Rob Flack of Energy Power Systems, Adrian Benetti of Kinnears Pty Ltd., John Davis of Australia-wide Solar, Ian Morelly of RFI Industries, Stephen Fields of Lowrance Electronics, Russell Muller (ex-Altex Coatings), Hood Sailmakers, John Ferris of RFD Marine, and Mark Baxter of Pains-Wessex.

I remain indebted to my friends and colleagues for giving me the benefit of their vast depth of knowledge and editing skill. Russell Vasey edited the nautical section; Alan Barringham the engineering section; Ken Batt, of Bureau of Meteorology, the Meteorology chapter; John Richardson, of Pumptec, the bilges and pumps chapter; David Duff, of Chubb Fire, the fire prevention and control chapter; Des Highfield, of NSW Workcover, the ropes and lifting equipment chapters. Steve Mitchell provided the naval architectural input and Ken D’Cruz, of NSW Waterways, advised me on some of the chapters relevant to commercial certificates. Martin Phillips, a pharmacist, arrived via cyberspace and rewrote the First Aid chapter. Peter Irvin of Queensland Transport helped revise the Radio chapter with the latest changes in the nick of time. I learnt a great deal from attending the excellent course on GPS & Electronic Charts conducted by Ravi Nijjer of Marine Consultancy Group of Melbourne.

Ross Carey, of course, is the best cover designer in the world.

Without the input of each and every one of them, the book would be incomplete.

= Dick Gandy