Wouldn't it be nice to have a small, well thought-out resource aboard for a quick refresher or an instant get-smart tutorial for your inexperienced guests? Rob Beattie, author of boating, camping and survival books, has just published a handy waterproof guide to essential skills needed to get safely out on the water -- and more importantly -- get home safely, too.

Covering navigation, first aid, provisioning, pitfalls and problems and more, this compact resource is the ideal go-to reference to keep stashed on any boat. The book is fully illustrated and addresses issues which can arise when children or inexperienced sailors come aboard. Navigation is covered at a level to give confidence to those starting out as well as providing an essential reminder to those with more experience.

The Boating Handbook features essential advice for maintaining and equipping your vessel as well as provisioning and clothing. Distress situations are covered in detail, which would provide a valuable resource should more experienced crew become incapacitated. The contents include: The basics; The boat; Equipping Your Boat; Basic Navigation; Cooking and Provisions; Activities and Skills; Pitfalls and Problems; and References and Resources.

Coupled with Reed's Almanac, The Boating Handbook will provide enough know-how for even the newest sailors (whether by choice or catastrophe) to confidently head out of the slip and get back safely. The Boating Handbook is available now in the U.K. and in the U.S. by pre-order through Amazon.com here.