After an introductory chapter describing the origins, structure and manner of operation of the IMO, successive chapters deal with rules on ship construction, design and equipment, on cargoes and containers, on seafarers, on traffic and transport, on navigation, and on the protection of the environment. Appendices include lists of IMO members, of non-governmental organizations having consultative status with the IMO, and of the codes, guidelines and manuals issued by the IMO, together with the 1984 Guidelines on Vessel Traffic Services and a survey of claims for pollution damage settled under the 1971 Fund Convention.

The work is more a handbook than a monograph: for the most part, the author confines himself to the summary and exposition of the technical measures adopted by the IMO, and to British legislation implementing those measures. This comprehensive and terse survey will be greatly appreciated by busy readers seeking a reliable guide through the intricacies of the IMO’s work, although it offers little to those seeking a broad evaluation of the work of the Organization. While it has weaknesses, such as its rather limited bibliographies, and occasional slips, such as the misdating of the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention, the overall standard of the book is high. The price is also rather high for a volume directly reproduced from typescript. However, the book can save those with the access to the full range of IMO documents many hours work ploughing through them, and it should be regarded as indispensable for libraries which cover maritime subjects but which do not possess such documents.