Mariner’s Weather

Weather disturbances occur in the atmospheric sea towering overhead and since all of us, even astronauts, live on the bottom of that sea we should know a lot about weather. But what we usually experience are only the swirls and eddies at our location. A meteorologist interprets data received from widespread observers so his view is broader. Yet since he doesn't actually experience the atmosphere they report his perceptions can be uncertain. And an airman's view is also less real. Weather disturbances are so dangerous to him that he tries to avoid them by flying above or around but not through them. By contrast a mariner's encounter with weather is more tangible. During one voyage he might leave Puget Sound in winter, a week later be standing watch in the Tropics and within another week be off Australia in its summer. But this book is not entitled Mariner's Weather to suggest it is primarily for mariners; nor does it flaunt the jargon of meteorology. In ordinary language it sifts decades of experience gained by mariners coping with atmospheric swirls and eddies all over the world at all times of the year. The result is a commonsense book for everyone ...and that could be why it is so well received.

William Crawford is known to thousands of shipmasters and officers as a teacher and as author of nautical texts that have been selections of national book clubs. Now retired from full-time teaching, he is still an active staff member of Crawford Nautical School in Seattle and in 2010 his first novel, The Lake, was published. More detail on Crawford’s World will be found on his website, www.williampcrawford.com. Also in 2010 he was chosen Maritime Person of the Year by The Council of American Master Mariners, Seattle/Pacific Area Chapter and the citation read in part ＂Captain Crawford is being recognized for his distinguished career in maritime training. In his books and in class he has role-modeled a uniquely enjoyable teaching method that focuses on relevant subject matter along with a touch of whimsy.＂ Mariner’s Weather reflects that uniquely enjoyable method and has become a classic. Understanding basics is what the book is all about and from this 2011 reissue readers will gain the same understanding of fundamentals received by thousands in the past.