William B. Hayler (1921–2004) began his naval service during World War II aboard the aircraft carrier Franklin, the vessel renowned for sailing home under its own power after receiving the most severe damage of any ship that still remained afloat. Subsequently, he commanded the LST 859, the LSMR 403, the high-speed transport Balduck, the destroyer Buck, and the C-3 repair ship Cadmus. Educated at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1944, received his master of arts from George Washington University in 1964, and sat for his master mariner’s license in 1969.

In 1970, he joined the faculty of the California Maritime Academy, where he taught seamanship, navigation, ship handling, and Rules of the Road. A frequent contributor to journals of maritime interest, his articles appeared in the Naval Institute Proceedings, Sealift, and Shipmate.

Hayler is the editor-in-chief of American Merchant Seaman’s Manual, Seventh Editon, coauthor of The Cornell Manual for Lifeboatmen, Able Seamen, and Qualified Members of the Engine Department, and the editor of Merchant Marine Officer’s Handbook, Fifth Edition.