Canandaigua, NY -- Former ship's officer and writer Larry Dickens announces the release of his second novel of the year, entitled Tropical Depression.  The book is described as a modern day, seagoing action-romance that takes place aboard a high-tech, liquefied natural gas carrier operating in the western Pacific, the world's most notorious spawning ground for tropical depressions and, ultimately, typhoons.  The story centers around the ship's competent chief officer, Jimmy Briscoe, and how he deals with a tragedy that is suddenly thrust upon him.  As the book's drop heading says, "A sailor's worst nightmare isn't always a storm." 
        Dickens, who holds an unlimited master's license, spent most of his maritime career aboard LNG carriers before the American flag was taken down after a lengthy legal battle and the ships were recrewed with multinationals in the fall of 2000.  Prior to this reflagging, he was chief mate aboard one of the large, three football-length ships.  He says, "The story was inspired by an event that happened to a colleague a long time ago.  Though the characters and story are mostly fictional, the setting aboard the LNG carrier is entirely accurate."  He adds, "The story is also pro-women on ships, as well as pro-U.S. flag."
       During his nineteen years with Energy Transportation Corp/Pronav, a Connecticut-based shipping company, Dickens says the eight-ship fleet rescued more than two-thousand people in distress at sea; mostly Vietnamese refugees, as well as capsized fishermen and crews from third world ships that had been ravaged by typhoons.  Dickens, himself, was personally involved in five of these rescues that resulted in the saving of over one hundred lives and he received several commendations for his efforts.  Some of these events are tightly woven into several chapters of Tropical Depression. 
       His first novel, Mrs. McGillacuddy's Garden Party, a rambunctious tale for all ages about kids with cancer, was released last March.  Both books are available at 1st Books Library (www.1stBooks.com or 888-280-7715) and at the South Bristol Cultural Center located near Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes. 
       Dickens is currently at work on a young adult novel that he hopes to release next summer.  For book comments, press, and other information, visit his website at www.LarryDickens.com.

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