 | |
| Author | John W. Trimmer |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Seamanship |
| Publisher | First edition: National Writers Press Second edition: Cornell Maritime Press /Tidewater |
Publication date | First edition: 1982 Second edition: 1993 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Paperback |
| Pages | First edition: 97 Second edition: 112 |
| ISBN | 978-0881000191 (1st edition) ISBN 978-0870334337 (2nd edition) |
How to Avoid Huge Ships is a 1982 book by Captain John W. Trimmer, aMaster Mariner and Seattleharbor pilot. The first edition was self-published from Trimmer's home in Seattle, and carried the subtitleOr: I Never Met a Ship I Liked. It is a maritime operations guidance book, but also attracted some attention due to its title, which some found to be unusual, incongruous, and humorous.
Intended for a specialized audience (the captains or operators of small private boats, such asyachts andtrawlers), the book gives advice on appropriate avoidance actions when confronted by the near presence of a large ship such as afreighter, along with anecdotes and background information such as the capabilities and operating procedures of the large ships.[1]
The book won the 1992Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year[2] and was used to title the first compilation of prize winners,How to Avoid Huge Ships and Other Implausibly Titled Books (2008).[3] The book finished third inThe Bookseller's 2008 competition for the oddest book title of all time (behindGreek Rural Postmen and Their Cancellation Numbers andPeople Who Don't Know They're Dead: How They Attach Themselves to Unsuspecting Bystanders and What to Do About It).[4]
Beginning in 2000, the book attracted humorous reader reviews on itsAmazon.com entry. The book, its prize-winning status, and sometimes its accompanying constellation of odd reviews, was commented on by publications ranging fromCracked[5] to theNew York Times.[6] TheNew York Daily News called it "the best book ever"[7] whilePublishers Weekly conversely called it "the worst book ever".[8]
In the video gameThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, there is a book titled "How to Avoid Colossal Vessels", which is regarded as aneaster egg reference to this book.[citation needed]
In 2021, the book was featured in severalinternet memes related to that year'sblockage of theSuez Canal.[9]