The shipping industry has made great progress in the last twenty years in its goal to eliminate accidents, but the sea remains a challenging place to operate. When an emergency happens, the ship’s Master takes responsibility for dealing with the situation, acting decisively to protect lives and prevent or minimise damage to the ship, environment and cargo.

Peril at Sea and Salvage: A Guide for Masters outlines the actions a Master should take when confronted with an emergency: from the initial assessment and immediate actions, through to towage or salvage arrangements, as may be necessary. It also explains the importance of prompt notification to relevant parties, particularly coastal States and the company. A section is included with recommendations for a company’s shore-based personnel.

Peril at Sea and Salvage has been the standard reference for Masters to prepare for emergency situations for 40 years. Much has changed in the shipping industry in the 20 years since the last edition was published. Regulatory changes and improvements in technology, communication and processes mean that the Master can now expect more shore-based support throughout the emergency using various communications channels.

Rising standards and fewer incidents also mean that many seafarers may never have experienced a major emergency on board. This Guide provides clear guidance on best practices for the Master, but should also be read by anyone who might be involved in managing emergency situations on a ship, including shore-based personnel, emergency assistance service providers and training institutions.

This sixth edition supersedes the ICS/OCIMF joint publication Peril at Sea and Salvage: A Guide to Masters, Fifth Edition (1998), which is now withdrawn from sale.