Born in Bristol, England, Anthony (Jo) Johansen grew up with the sea. His love of ships and sailing led him to a fascinating life in the British Merchant Navy. This book is filled with his adventures, as he lives through the Blitz, travels the world, encounters some unforgettable characters, and faces dangers, not the least of which is the dreaded "rogue wave."

Men at sea indulge in pranks and humour, which Johansen shares with us: His role as "Neptune's daughter" in a ceremony to mark the crossing of the Equator; the toilet bowl incident; the mysterious disappearance of the third mate; and so on. There are many serious moments as well, as one might expect in the life of a Master Mariner who would carry the grave responsibility of a large oceangoing ship. This was a man who truly "followed his bliss."