Polar Ship Operations and Handling Ships in First-Year Ice should be read by every mariner sailing, or planning to sail, in the world’s ice-prone waters.

The season for accessing ice-affected waters is lengthening, and this is attracting new operators into these remote and hostile regions. Should things go wrong, however, assistance may be very far away and the consequences are likely to be severe.

Ice seriously limits a ship’s speed and manoeuvrability, and can inflict serious damage on propellers, engines, rudders and hull plating. Voyage preparation, navigation and watchkeeping take on added importance when operating in ice.

The need for authoritative, up-to-date, practical guidance has never been greater.

Captain Buysse and Captain Snider are experts in their field and bring their unrivalled experience to bear on the subject. Polar Shp Operations and Handling Ships in First-Year Ice are written in a straightforward and accessible style. Numerous photographs and clear diagrams illustrate the hazards and the techniques for dealing with them.

Both books have been updated to take account of the IMO’s Polar Code, introduced in 2017. They are essential reading for anyone undertaking The Nautical Institute’s Ice Navigator Training Scheme.