Ronald Buthcher’s book Cruise Control is a comprehensive guild to safety at sea. Although it isn’t as light hearted as optimistic travelers might like, this book is designed to educate and prepare travelers to deal with the potential risks that can occur at sea. Butcher draws upon his extensive industry experience and shares real-life stories to support the relevance of his guide. I enjoyed the casual writing style which kept the pages turning and made the content easier to understand.
The first few chapters introduced me to the intricacies of the cruise industry. I learned how ship design features can have a significant impact on safety and that every ship is registered to a specific country but not all countries follow the same safety standards. The book covers the effects that foul weather such as hurricanes, rogue waves, and water sprouts can have on a cruise ship. The chapters titled “How about a nice cold shower” takes an in depth look at water survival gear and techniques. There is also a chapter on the dangers of fire at sea including detailed techniques for surviving a fire and treating post fire trauma.
There is an especially interesting chapter which forewarns travelers about potential pitfalls associated with travel agents, cruise insurance, child care, tipping, illness, and accountability aboard cruise lines. The guide finishes up with an overview of laws governing disorder at sea and at destination ports. Butcher even added some common self-defense techniques and anti-mugging procedures.
After reading Cruise Control the content took some time to sink in. Initially I was jaded by the dark overtones this book casts over the cruise industry, but then I realized that after 23 years with the U.S. Coast Guard, Ronald Butcher has probably seen it all. There’s not doubt in my mind that this cruise ship safety manual should be on everyone’s required reading list before hitting the seas. Cruise Control is packed with some much valuable content about disaster prevention and survival techniques that readers are likely to benefit from the information during every day life on shore. I definitely learned a lot from Ronald Butcher’s book Cruise Control and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have the peace of mind that they’re educated to deal with issues that can arise at sea.
Cruise Control - Your peace of mind at sea
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