The Australian Boating Manual

The fourth edition 1000-page Australian Boating Manual is the most comprehensive and best-known boating book in Australia. Its author, Captain Dick Gandy, is equally known for keeping it current and relevant for both recreational and commercial boaters. It is not only a reference book and text book but also contains 2600 multiple-choice Q&A to test yourself or to set examinations for others.

The latest good news is that ABM is now also available as an eBook for both PC and Mac. In its release, Dick has taken the opportunity to also introduce us to the Work Health & Safety Act (WHS) which, starting in 2012, will gradually replace the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHS) throughout Australia. While the safety aspects of OHS remain largely unchanged, the definitions of employer and employee are broader. An employer is referred to as PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) and an employee is a worker. Similarly, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) has been renamed Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in order to cover not just materials but all aspects of safety. Visit the Safe Work Australia website for more details.

While most people find it easier to study from a printed book, its digital version is the ideal mobile reference material. Both versions of ABM are almost equally priced at $90 and $88 respectively. However, when the two are purchased together the eBook is half priced. To assist existing owners of the hard copy to also acquire an eBook it is available to everyone at half price ($44) until 30 May 2012. Visit the online shop at www.AustralianBoatingManual.com.