You study the narrow marina entrance and note a gusty wind blowing across the channel. And, it looks like you’ll be bucking a strong tidal current once inside the marina. What steps can you take to prepare your boat and crew for the challenges ahead?
1. Point your bow into the dominant element. If wind and current are equal strength, head into the current. If docking under sail, use a close reach.
2. Line both sides of your boat with fenders. If you blow downwind onto a piling, pier or another boat, you’ll be ready . And you can bet, it happens. There are no perfect docking masters except for those rare individuals who do it for a living. Sooner or later the wind and current take control. Be ready.
3. Train all hands on docking terms. Avoid slang. Keep it simple. Names tell you about attachment points and how the line leads from one place to another. Example: “AFTER BOW SPRING-LINE” . The line leads aft (AFTER) to the pier; from the BOW (forward section of the boat); in a diagonal direction.
4. When undocking your boat from a pier, work the spring line from your boat. That way, you do not need a person ashore. Attach the spring line to the proper boat cleat (near the beam for bow springs; near the stern for stern springs). Lead the spring to a cleat or piling ashore, take a full wrap, then back to the boat cleat.
5. Remove lines for springing on a single line in the correct order. Let’s say you have the wind or current from ahead. This means you will undock the boat with a forward quarter spring. Rig a forward quarter spring line. Then remove the after bow spring line, the stern line and then, the bow line. Now the only line attached will be the forward quarter spring line.
6. Use a ball fender to protect your stern quarter (corner) when you need to spring off a pier with a forward quarter springline. A ball shaped fender might provide better protection for the hull than a thin vertical tube-shaped fender. Use the slowest speed possible to avoid line or deck fitting damage.
7. Make up one or two special ‘blue-collar worker’ docking lines to use only for docking and undocking maneuvers. You can bet these work-horses are going to get dirty and worn as they rub across abrasive pier structures and boat fittings. After you tie up, swap out your docking spring line to your permanent lines with proper chafing gear in place.
8. Caution the crew not to step ashore UNTIL the boat arrives within one foot of the pier. Keep your speed alongside to less than one-half knot if possible. It takes just one slip or trip and you’re in the drink. Even at slow speed, tons of displacement can crush flesh and bone. Best not to risk it. If the wind or current catch you at the last moment, break away and try it again.
9. Work out a set of hand signals for line commands, even if you have headsets. Wireless headsets can drop signals and talking reduces concentration levels for the boat driver. Include visual hand signals for “surge” (ease the line under strain without slack), “hold” (stop surging the line, secure it to a fitting, but keep it ready to surge again), and “belay” (tie off the line for docking).
10. Practice before you commit. This applies across the board for all maneuvers inside an enclosed space or waterway. Open water drills allow for errors and multiple takes. This may or may not be the case in the confines of a marina. Make up a practice float from a jug or life ring. Attach a long line to one end with a small weight and toss it over the side.
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