Boats Docking

1
Boats - Docking

• Quartermaster Requirement 6

2
Quartermaster Requirement 6

• Demonstrate and teach the Motorboating merit
  badge.
• Know the principles of springing into and out
  from a dock, from both bow and stern, using an
  engine depending on the type of craft used by
  your ship.
• Take charge of the craft used by your ship, or
  suitable powered craft and give all necessary
  commands to the crew while coming alongside and
  getting under way in several wind and current
  situations.
• Note The purpose of this requirement is to
  demonstrate a knowledge of the effect of
  propeller, steering, and hull in boat handling.
• Reference
• "Orders to the Crew" on page 155
• Motorboating merit badge pamphlet, No. 33294.

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Docking

• One of the most difficult aspects of sailing a
  large keelboat is docking. 
• Sailboats are often heavy and have significant
  inertia. 
• Approach the dock with a speed no greater than to
  maintain steerage, usually around one knot, and
  with fenders in place and lines manned.  
• Reverse gear often does little to slow the boat
  and will usually swing the stern to one side or
  another due to prop-walk. 
• The glide zone is the distance it takes the boat
  to stop when the forward thrust is turned off
  while advancing at the minimum speed to maintain
  steerage. 
• Become familiar with the rotation point of the
  boat (usually where the keel is), the turning
  radius and the glide zone. 

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Rule 1 to Avoid Docking Injuries

• Before each docking maneuver, make sure everyone
  understands what he or she will be doing.
• The corollary to Rule 1 is to be aware of where
  your crew is and what each is doing.
• A woman in California was securing a spring line
  to a cleat when the skipper suddenly backed down
  hard with his two 200 HP engines and she got her
  fingers crushed.
• Another man was standing on the dock holding onto
  a trawler's bow pulpit when the skipper gunned
  the engine and yanked him into the water.
• In both claims (and many others) the skipper and
  crew were acting independently.

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Rule 2 to Avoid Docking Injuries

• Don't encourage your crew to make Olympian leaps
  onto the dock.
• This is one of the most common types of
  accidents.
• A California man broke both his heals when he
  landed on the dock after jumping from the bow of
  a large sailboat.
• Whenever possible, hand dock lines to someone on
  the dock. If that isn't possible, wait until the
  boat is safely alongside the pier before
  instructing someone to step ashore.
• Your crew shouldn't have to make daring leaps
  across open water to make up for sloppy boat
  handling.

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Rule 3 to Avoid Docking Injuries

• Keep fingers and limbs inboard!
• As a boats gets close to a dock, passengers tend
  to gravitate toward the rail and drape fingers,
  legs and arms over the side of the boat.
• If the boat suddenly swings into a dock or
  piling, the consequences can be painful.
• A woman in Solomons, Maryland lost a finger when
  a passing boat's wake slammed her boat into a
  piling.

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Rule 4 to Avoid Docking Injuries

• Make sure everyone is seated or has something to
  hold onto.
• One Hand for Yourself, One Hand for the Boat
• The owner of a 20' runabout asked his
  inexperienced nephew to jump onto the dock with a
  bowline.
• The young man eagerly climbed out of his seat and
  stood precariously on the bow as the boat was
  approaching the dock.
• A few seconds later the boat glanced off of a
  piling, only slightly, but without a handhold the
  nephew lost his balance and fractured his elbow.

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Rule 5 to Avoid Docking Injuries

• Don't use bodies to stop the boat -- slow down
  and use fenders.
• Fenders are easy to replace bodies arent!
• A Florida man suffered a separated shoulder when
  he tried to keep a 38' Sportfisherman from
  backing into a piling.

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Docking Commands

• Stand by to DockThis tells the crew to be ready
  in their positions when docking.
• Stand by LinesThis tells people standing on the
  wharf or pier to be ready to hand the lines to
  the people on deck so that they can take them in.
• Heave the Bow Line (or line to be used)The line
  is heaved to the dock by whichever deckhand is in
  charge of it.
• Cast Off LinesTells the people standing on the
  wharf or pier to hand or toss the lines to the
  crew on deck.

• Take in SlackThe deckhands are to pull in the
  slack and snub it around a cleat.
• Take a StrainThe deckhands are to pull on the
  line named, snubbing it around the cleat but
  allowing a little slippage.
• Ease OffThe line is allowed to slip more freely.
• HoldThis means to check the line temporarily.
• Secure LinesThis means to tie the lines down
  permanently, adjusting to proper length.

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Dock Lines

• PainterThe docking line for a small boat, such
  as a canoe, dinghy, or small sailboat
• HawserA large line (3-5) for towing, mooring,
  or securing a boat
• Bow linesDocking lines led from the bow forward
  at about 45 degrees
• Stern linesDocking lines led from the stern aft
  at about 45 degrees
• Spring linesDocking lines led from the bow or
  stern, aft or forward, to a dock cleat or piling
  preventing fore and aft movement.
• Breast linesLines attached laterally from a boat
  to a boat or dock, preventing movement away from
  the dock.

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Bow and Stern Lines

• Run diagonally from bow and stern mooring cleats
  as four corner lines
• Primary function is to keep the boat away from
  the dock and cut down side to side motion.
• Normally the first ropes made off and for a short
  stay such as refueling they may be adequate.
• If the boat is left moored on these two lines
  only it will tend to twist and surge back and
  forth on the dock.

12
Spring lines

• Keep a boat from pushing forward or aft out of
  the dock or slip
• a forward spring line runs forward from the boat
  to a dock or a post.
• an aft or after spring line runs aft from the
  boat to a dock or a post.
• Help steady a boat with a wind over the bow.
• Should be as long as possible and as close to
  parallel to the boat as possible.

13
Mooring Alongside Another Vessel

• Often need to moor alongside another vessel.
• Try to pick a boat that is the same size or
  larger and of a similar type.
• Need breast lines between the bows and sterns of
  the two boats, and spring lines,
• Normal to rig some shore lines for each boat.
• Load is shared between all the yachts, especially
  when there is a strong tide or offshore wind.

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Dipping the eye

• Two boats have their dock lines around the same
  piling, and the boat owner of the lower line
  wants to remove his to cast off.
• Either first remove the line on top or perform
  the maneuver called "dipping the eye".
• This method allows either line to be removed
  without disturbing the other

15
Docking to a Pier

• In a low wind situation it is often easier to
  dock to a pier on the port side if your sailboat
  has a right-hand prop and to the starboard side
  if your sailboat has a left-hand prop. 
• When reverse is applied, this will allow the prop
  walk to swing the stern of the boat toward the
  pier . 

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Crosswind Blowing Away From The Pier

• In a light crosswind blowing away from the pier,
  the sailboat should approach the pier at a 45
  degree angle. 
• A quick turn is made and the boat is brought
  alongside the pier. 
• A crew member may have to step quickly onto the
  pier and secure the dock lines to the pier's
  cleats or the boat may be blown away from the
  dock.

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Docking with a Mid-Ship Line

• In heavier crosswinds, docking can be
  accomplished with use of a mid-ship line or a bow
  line.
• Approach the pier at a 45 degree angle.
• Use intermittent forward thrust that is just a
  little greater than the force of the wind.
• Have a mid-ship forward spring line rigged and
  led up to the bow.

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Docking with a Mid-Ship Line

• Have a mid-ship forward spring line rigged and
  led up to the bow.
• Drop the spring line over a piling or attach to a
  dock cleat

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Docking with a Mid-Ship Line

• Have a mid-ship forward spring line rigged and
  led up to the bow.
• Drop the spring line over a piling or attach to a
  dock cleat
• Turn the boat to starboard and give intermittent
  forward thrust.

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Docking with a Mid-Ship Line

• Have a mid-ship forward spring line rigged and
  led up to the bow.
• Drop the spring line over a piling or attach to a
  dock cleat
• Turn the boat to starboard and give intermittent
  forward thrust.
• With forward thrust, the spring line pulls the
  boat towards the dock.

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Docking with a Mid-Ship Line

• Have a mid-ship forward spring line rigged and
  led up to the bow.
• Drop the spring line over a piling or attach to a
  dock cleat
• Turn the boat to starboard and give intermittent
  forward thrust.
• With forward thrust, the spring line pulls the
  boat towards the dock.
• Attach the bow line

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Docking with a Mid-Ship Line

• Have a mid-ship forward spring line rigged and
  led up to the bow.
• Drop the spring line over a piling or attach to a
  dock cleat
• Turn the boat to starboard and give intermittent
  forward thrust.
• With forward thrust, the spring line pulls the
  boat towards the dock.
• Attach the bow line
• Attach the remaining dock lines.

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Docking with a Bow Line

• In heavier winds which will quickly blow the boat
  off the pier, a bow line may be used to aid in
  docking. 
• Approach the pier at a 45 degree angle.
• Use intermittent forward thrust that is just a
  little greater than the force of the wind.
• The bow of the boat is brought up to the dock.    

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Docking with a Bow Line

• The bow of the boat is brought up to the dock. 
• Secure a bow line to the bow's horn cleat and
  secure it to a cleat on the dock. 
• The bow lines length should be 75 to 100 the
  width of the beam.

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Docking with a Bow Line

• The bow of the boat is brought up to the dock. 
• Secure a bow line to the bow's horn cleat and
  secure it to a cleat on the dock. 
• The bow lines length should be 75 to 100 the
  width of the beam.
• Turn the wheel away from the pier (or push the
  tiller toward the pier).
• Apply a small amount of forward thrust to bring
  the stern alongside the pier. 

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Docking with a Bow Line

• The bow of the boat is brought up to the dock.  
• Secure a bow line to the bow's horn cleat and
  secure it to a cleat on the dock. 
• The bow lines length should be 75 to 100 the
  width of the beam.
• Turn the wheel away from the pier (or turn the
  tiller toward the pier).
• Apply a small amount of forward thrust to bring
  the stern alongside the pier.
• Attach the remaining dock (stern and spring)
  lines.

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Crosswind Blowing Towards The Dock

• In a light wind approaching a pier can be an easy
  docking maneuver.
• Just let the wind gently blow the boat into the
  pier.
• However, in a heavy wind you may need to use
  reverse thrust to keep the boat from approaching
  too fast.
• One may even have to use an bow line, with light
  forward thrust and the wheel turned toward the
  dock to prevent too fast of an approach.

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Wind Parallel To The Dock

• In this situation it is easiest to dock
  approaching the wind.
• Approach the dock at a 25 to 45 degree angle.
• Use intermittent power and slow to a minimum
  controllable (headway) speed.
• Dock with the wind forward rather than aft.

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Wind Parallel To The Dock

• Dock with the wind forward rather than aft.
• A brief application of power will swing the stern
  towards the dock.
• If the boat has a right hand prop, a brief
  application of reverse power will further swing
  the stern towards the dock.
• If the boat has a left hand prop, reverse may
  swing the stern away from the dock.

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Wind Parallel To The Dock

• Dock with the wind forward rather than aft.
• A brief application of power will swing the stern
  towards the dock.
• If the boat has a right hand prop, a brief
  application of reverse power will further swing
  the stern towards the dock.
• If the boat has a left hand prop, reverse may
  swing the stern away from the dock.
• Attach a mid-ship forward spring line.

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Wind Parallel To The Dock

• Dock with the wind forward rather than aft.
• A brief application of power will swing the stern
  towards the dock.
• If the boat has a right hand prop, a brief
  application of reverse power will further swing
  the stern towards the dock.
• If the boat has a left hand prop, reverse may
  swing the stern away from the dock.
• Attach a mid-ship forward spring line.
• Attach the rest of the dock lines

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Leaving a Pier

• Spring lines greatly aid in getting underway and
  safely leaving a crowded pier.
• Spring lines are also useful in leaving a when
  the sailboat is blown against the pier by wind.
• For greatest leverage, the spring line should be
  secured to the bow (aft spring line) or stern
  (forward spring line) cleat and wrapped around a
  horn pier cleat which is at least midship.
• The spring line is then brought back to the bow
  or stern, if necessary placed around one of the
  cleat's horns, and held by a crew member.

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Leaving a Pier with a Forward Spring Line

• The use of a forward spring line will swing the
  bow out and allow for an easier departure.
• One must be careful in retrieving the line to not
  foul the prop (wrap the line around a spinning
  propeller).
• One may also use the rudder to vary the direction
  of boat thrust, to aid in holding the boat to or
  in swinging the boat away from the pier.

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Leaving a Pier with a Forward Spring Line

• A forward spring line is placed from the stern of
  the sailboat to the dock.
• In reverse gear, with the rudder in the midline,
  the sailboat is slowly backed.

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Leaving a Pier with a Forward Spring Line

• A forward spring line is placed from the stern of
  the sailboat to the dock.
• In reverse gear, with the rudder in the midline,
  the sailboat is slowly backed.
• The spring line prevents the backward motion of
  the boat and swings the bow.

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Leaving a Pier with a Forward Spring Line

• A forward spring line is placed from the stern of
  the sailboat to the dock.
• In reverse gear, with the rudder in the midline,
  the sailboat is slowly backed.
• The spring line prevents the backward motion of
  the boat and swings the bow.
• Once clear, the line is released and the boat is
  placed in forward gear and steered away from the
  dock.

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Leaving a Pier with an Aft Spring Line

• An aft bow spring line is placed from the bow of
  the sailboat to the dock.
• With an aft bow spring, the wheel is initially
  turned away from the pier (tiller towards the
  pier) to hold the boat against the pier.

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Leaving a Pier with an Aft Spring Line

• An aft bow spring line is placed from the bow of
  the sailboat to the dock.
• With an aft bow spring, the wheel is initially
  turned away from the pier (tiller towards the
  pier) to hold the boat against the pier.
• To pull away from the pier, turn the wheel
  towards the pier (tiller away from the pier) and
  give a small amount of forward power.
• The spring line prevents the forward motion of
  the boat and swings the stern away from the dock.

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Leaving a Pier with an Aft Spring Line

• An aft bow spring line is placed from the bow of
  the sailboat to the dock.
• With an aft bow spring, the wheel is initially
  turned away from the pier (tiller towards the
  pier) to hold the boat against the pier.
• To pull away from the pier, turn the wheel
  towards the pier (tiller away from the pier) and
  give a small amount of forward power.
• The spring line prevents the forward motion of
  the boat and swings the stern away from the dock.
• Once clear, the line is released and the boat is
  placed in reverse gear and steered away from the
  dock.

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Leaving a Pier with an Aft Spring Line

• An aft bow spring line is placed from the bow of
  the sailboat to the dock.
• With an aft bow spring, the wheel is initially
  turned away from the pier (tiller towards the
  pier) to hold the boat against the pier.
• To pull away from the pier, turn the wheel
  towards the pier (tiller away from the pier) and
  give a small amount of forward power.
• The spring line prevents the forward motion of
  the boat and swings the stern away from the dock.
• Once clear, the line is released and the boat is
  placed in reverse gear and steered away from the
  dock.
• Place in forward gear to leave the marina

41
Docking in a Slip - Wind Forward

• This is one of the easier docking situations.
• Using forward intermittent thrust and minimum
  speed to maintain steerage, slowly enter the
  slip.
• The wind can be used as the ship's brake and will
  not cause prop-walk.
• Instead of using reverse, place the transmission
  in neutral and the wind will blow boat back.
• Secure the bow dock line first, since the stern
  line will not prevent the backward drifting of
  the sailboat.

42
Docking in a Slip Wind Aft

• This is one of the hardest situations to dock a
  heavy sailboat.
• Reverse must often be used to prevent the boat
  from approaching the slip to fast.
• This will cause prop walk.
• It is best to have the docking platform on the
  side that the prop-walk will push your boat.
• It is always better to drift into the docking
  platform than another boat.

43
Entering a Slip Using Spring Lines

• If the wind is strong you may wish to approach
  the end of the docking platform, and use two
  spring lines to swing your boat into the slip.
• Approach the end of the docking platform.

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Entering a Slip Using Spring Lines

• Approach the end of the docking platform.
• Attach forward quarter and aft bow spring lines.
• The forward quarter spring line determines how
  far into the slip the sailboat will go and
  prevents the stern from hitting the adjacent
  sailboat

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Entering a Slip Using Spring Lines

• Approach the end of the docking platform.
• Attach forward and aft spring lines.
• The forward spring line determines how far into
  the slip the sailboat will go and prevents the
  stern from hitting the adjacent sailboat.
• Apply intermittent reverse thrust

46
Entering a Slip Using Spring Lines

• Approach the end of the docking platform.
• Attach forward quarter and aft bow spring lines.
• The forward spring line determines how far into
  the slip the sailboat will go and prevents the
  stern from hitting the adjacent sailboat.
• Apply intermittent reverse thrust.
• Lengthening the forward quarter spring line
  allows the boat to enter the slip.

47
Entering a Slip Using Spring Lines

• Approach the end of the docking platform.
• Attach forward quarter and aft bow spring lines.
• The forward quarter spring line determines how
  far into the slip the sailboat will go and
  prevents the stern from hitting the adjacent
  sailboat.
• Apply intermittent reverse thrust.
• Lengthening the forward quarter spring line
  allows the boat to enter the slip.
• Finally, secure the boat to the docking platform
  with the remaining lines.

48
Docking in a Slip - Crosswind

• If the wind is light and the docking platform is
  downwind this can be an easy approach.
• In heaver winds or if another boat is downwind,
  you may wish to approach the end of the docking
  platform and use two spring lines to swing your
  boat into the slip

49
Leaving a Slip

• When backing out of a slip one must always
  compensate for prop-walk and the momentum of the
  sailboat.
• Unlike driving a car, a sailboat does not
  instantly change direction when the gears are
  shifted from reverse to forward.
• The wheel or tiller is adjusted according to the
  direction of movement and not the direction of
  the engine's thrust.
• Intermittent thrust and minimum speed should be
  used when leaving a dock.
• One crew member should be on deck with a pole and
  a fender to help prevent damage in the event of
  an inadvertent collision.

50
Leaving a Slip

• Slowly back out of the slip by using reverse
  thrust.
• Very slow acceleration and intermittent power
  will help to reduce prop walk.
• A right-hand prop will pull the stern to port.

51
Leaving a Slip

• Slowly back out of the slip by using reverse
  thrust.
• Very slow acceleration and intermittent power
  will help to reduce prop walk.
• A right-hand prop will pull the stern to port.
• Turn the wheel toward (tiller away from) the
  direction you wish to back out into the waterway.

52
Leaving a Slip

• Slowly back out of the slip by using reverse
  thrust.
• Very slow acceleration and intermittent power
  will help to reduce prop walk.
• A right-hand prop will pull the stern to port.
• Turn the wheel toward (tiller away from) the
  direction you wish to back out into the waterway.
• Now use a small amount of forward thrust to slow
  the backward movement of the boat.
• Do not change the direction of the rudder until
  the boat has stopped moving backwards.

53
Leaving a Slip

• Slowly back out of the slip by using reverse
  thrust.
• Very slow acceleration and intermittent power
  will help to reduce prop walk.
• Turn the wheel toward (tiller away from) the
  direction you wish to back out into the waterway.
• Now use a small amount of forward thrust to slow
  the backward movement of the boat.
• Do not change the direction of the rudder until
  the boat has stopped moving backwards.
• Once the boat has stopped its backward drift,
  place the rudder in midline and proceed down the
  channel.

54
Tossing a Dock Line the Coil

• Hold the line in your left hand and place it
  under your left thumb.
• Take about 5' of line in your right hand and give
  it a half-twist clockwise, then bring the line
  and place it in your left hand to form a coil.
• The trick is to avoid figure eights.
• Continue placing the coils in your left hand
  until the entire line is in your left hand.
• Now take the last half of the coils in your right
  hand and check to make sure the line pays out
  freely.
• Glance around to make sure the line wont catch
  on anything.
• Coming up short is usually the result of the coil
  in the left hand snagging.

55
Tossing a Dock Line the Swing

• With your feet shoulder-width apart, move your
  left foot a few inches forward.
• Swing the coils in your right hand backward far
  enough so that when you come forward, you have
  some momentum.
• Toss the line with a sweeping, fluid motion, like
  a roundhouse punch.
• At the same time, move the left hand in the
  direction of the target, and open your grip,
  making the uncoiling of the line in that hand
  easier.
• The proper throwing motion will force you up onto
  the balls of your left foot, while your right
  foot recoils behind you like a bowler.
• The line should pay out in an arc several feet
  above the water.
• The distance the line travels will depend on
  fluidity and strength.

56
Tossing a Dock Line the Finish

• If theres no dockside help, youll have to lasso
  the deck ware.
• Use a bowline with a 3' bight.
• Grasp the bowline and the standing part of the
  line in your right hand, palm up.
• Now do the same thing with your left hand about
  2' below your right, but turn your palm down. The
  coil that would have been in your left hand
  should be on the deck near your left toe.
• Turn your body sideways to the target, left foot
  in front.
• Now throw a roundhouse like a roundhouse.
• For perfect accuracy every time, keep your eyes
  on the target. When it seems like everything is
  happening in slow motion, youve done it right.

57
Final Docking Tips

• Come in as parallel to the berth as you can.
• First set the after spring and stern lines.
• Then as the boat moves ahead and the bow swings
  in, secure the bow line and forward spring.
• You can also set the stern line first and motor
  ahead gently to bring the bow in.
• Avoid throwing your bow line to a helpful
  volunteer on the quay.
• Your helper is often likely to pull it tight thus
  smash the bow into the pontoon.
• It is often better to throw a spring line.

58
Final Docking Tips

• When the wind is holding you off, bring the bow
  in then set the bow line and forward spring.
• Swing the stern in by backing down against the
  spring line.
• A standard right-handed propeller walks the
  stern to starboard in forward gear and to port in
  reverse.
• When coming in on the port side kick the engine
  into reverse this will bring the stern in.
• When the wind is blowing in pull up nearly
  parallel to the pier but with the bow slightly
  out, as it will blow down faster.

59
Final Docking Tips

• When berthing short-handed or singled-handed rig
  two mooring ropes, one from the bow and one from
  the stern, and step off the boat with those
  lines.
• Secure the boat first as fast as possible, and
  then set your regular mooring lines.
• Ensure everyone involved knows your plan.
• Prepare your ropes and fenders in advance.
• When you commit yourself DO NOT STOP THE BOAT.
• A common error is to stop just before entering
  the berth, usually to line up.
• On a windy day this could turn your well-prepared
  approach into chaos.
• Excessive speed is of course dangerous and should
  be avoided.
• Always plan an escape route in case things go
  wrong. It is more seamanlike to abandon a bad
  approach than to crash.