the writing is vivid, the experiences fascinating, and the insights of interest even to skippers of more modest vessels. * Yachting Monthly *
Jaw-dropping insights into the unbelievable world of superyachts, woven in with life lessons learned from the most successful captain in the industry, this is a compelling, valuable and uniquely honest read.
This book is the tale of an ordinary boy whose career takes him on a most extraordinary journey. One that begins with messing about in boats in a sleepy coastal Australian town, and ends as one of the most successful and respected superyacht captains in the industry.
Spanning two decades and circling the globe, his story draws readers into the real world of superyachts, their crew and their owners, in the most intimate of ways. Much of the book is comprised of fascinating and jaw-dropping insights and revelations about the real lives of the super wealthy - what is that sort of life really like? Does it make you happy? What's it like to work with people for whom there can be no delays; no mistakes (would you fancy manoeuvring a two hundred million euro boat into a tiny spot in Monaco harbour, in front of your boss and Prince Albert?).
Alongside this, Brendan weaves in the lessons he's learned as he's progressed from deck hand to captain, and these are useful for all. He is surprisingly humble and self aware: in a world of glitter and extravagance you can see why he's trusted.
His constant questioning and search for self-improvement mean that the techniques and advice he draws out are not only interesting, but provide valuable insights for anyone leading teams with demanding objectives, needing to bring out the best from those they manage as well as themselves, make the most of your time and the time of those you manage, establish a clear vision, make good decisions, and deal well with emergencies and the unexpected.
As captain, Brendan was expected to achieve excellence every single time - there are no excuses in this world - and how he learns to deal with this is fascinating. And all of this is told against a backdrop of seemingly impossible glamour, with plenty of juicy (if well disguised) stories of the parties and the lifestyle.
A brilliant read for all the many superyacht fans out there, as well as anyone interested in leadership and management techniques from someone at the top of their game, working for those who define the rules of the game.
Paperback
Brendan O'Shannassy
272 pages
H: 234mm W: 153mm
Weight: 412 grams