John Mellor spent five years as a Royal Navy Officer, then 20 years as a professional yacht skipper - interspersed with spells as a sailing school manager, navigation instructor and trawler skipper. He now writes full time and sails for pleasure, mainly on traditional vessels.

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• Using the logbook; Abbreviations & symbols; The Beaufort Scale; Compass deviation; Log daily pages; Engine log; Radio log; Waypoint list; Dimensions; Expiry dates; Ship's equipment; Visitors' book / crew list; Season summary