docking seamanship 217
DOCKING WITH WIND AND CURRENT FROM AHEAD
(PARALLEL WITH THE PIER)
- Have a crewmember ready with the bow line, since this will be the fi rst
line ashore. Approach parallel with the pier. Line the boat up abreast of
your berth and about one to two boat lengths away, using forward gear
to hold the boat in this position. Next, angle the bow slightly toward the
berth so that wind and current begin to move the bow toward the pier. - Turn your rudder away from the dock, and use a short burst of propulsion if
necessary to keep your bow-toward-pier angle modest. You don’t want your
bow to be blown or pushed directly toward the pier. Keep this angle constant
and modest so that the boat crabs across wind and current into the berth.
Watch your position relative to the boat astern. Use short bursts of ahead
propulsion to help you maintain your angle and position against the wind and
current. - Get the bow line ashore to a dock cleat or piling forward of the bow.
Use idle reverse gear, along with wind and current, to bring the stern into
the pier.
DOCKING WITH WIND AND CURRENT FROM ASTERN
(PARALLEL WITH THE PIER)
- Have a crewmember ready with the stern line, since this will be the fi rst line
ashore. Approach parallel with the pier and position your boat abreast of your
When docking with the wind and current coming from astern, align your boat parallel
with the dock (1), turn the rudder toward the pier (2), and hold your station abreast of
your berth with reverse gear while the wind and current push your stern toward the dock.
Pass a stern line ashore (3) as soon as possible.