My interest in maritime history grew during my 50 years of sailing on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne and while adventuring on yachts to New Caledonia, Tasmania, Sydney, Hawaii and even the Beagle Canal in South America. I have shared this interest as a volunteer tutor at the Hawthorn University of the Third Age for a number of years. My maritime history books record over 100 diverse maritime topics including ships that have played a role in man's exploration, migration, trade, transport and pleasure. Wherever possible these histories have been richly illustrated.