The phrase ‘the Beautiful Game’ is synonymous with football, but for twin brothers Captain Grant H Livingstone and Captain George H Livingstone the words perfectly capture life at sea. Both authors have spent decades working as pilots, mastering the art of shiphandling, for which technical expertise meets instinct, experience and split-second decision making.

As with elite sport stars and world-class musicians, who combine dedication to practice and honing skills with an instinct for their craft, the brothers have learned how professional mariners endorse the science of shiphandling but also talk about its ‘feel’. Knowing the fundamentals is certainly a crucial element in successful shiphandling, but so, too, is the ability to manage emotions, rise above the panic and maintain focus, even with distractions all around.

To inspire other seafarers to view their profession as ‘the Beautiful Game’, Grant and George have gathered insights from experienced mariners, asking them: ‘What were the most challenging elements to learn theoretically?’ and ‘What were the most challenging elements to execute practically?’.  The result is a book that draws together a range of real-life scenarios and how they were handled, examining both successes and failures so that today’s mariners can learn from past events. It will propel them to the successes and help them to avoid the failures.

Shiphandling, the Beautiful Game has been written to explain what differentiates a good shiphandler from a great one. The authors consider common challenges and how best to deal with the emotions that can affect the outcomes, sharing examples of how to master those emotions and avert disaster. The book explores the many ways the human brain assimilates experience and develops motor skills and cognitive deduction, turning shiphandling into an art form that can be enjoyed rather than a challenge to be endured.

Whether you’re a young cadet or a seasoned mariner, The Nautical Institute’s newest release, Shiphandling, the Beautiful Game, offers valuable lessons on mastering the craft, managing high-pressure situations and achieving excellence in the wheelhouse. Head of Information and Publications, Steven Gosling, comments: “Today more than ever, the mariner needs to be a competent and confident shiphandler, being in control at all times of the ship and themselves. What better than a lifetime of experience from two experts in the field to help you understand and master the art, the science and the mindset of successful shiphandling?”