Berthing: Preparing Mind, Boat and Crew

Many people find berthing their boat stressful, especially in adverse weather conditions or coming into an unfamiliar berth or marina. While watching people come into berths, I am often amazed by their apparent lack of preparation and forethought.

The most obvious, but surprisingly missed by some is to have mooring lines and fenders rigged. Make sure the crew is ready and knows what is required and that they are able to do it. It’s no good being surprised at the last minute when your crew announces they can’t quite make that leap from the boat to the dock. Run through your docking routine with the crew. Make sure everyone knows what is expected. Good, clear communication before and during berthing is essential.

Cruise up and down for a moment to scope out the berth. Also with any luck someone on shore will realise you are coming in to dock and come to help take your lines. Some people who offer to help don’t always know what is required. Make sure that you or your crew tell them firmly but politely what you want them to do with the lines. Nothing worse than when you have everything under control and a “helper” ruins it by heaving on the bow line pulling you off course at the final crucial moment.

Think about the factors that are going to help or hinder, like wind strength and direction, any current, windage of the boat, prop walk and work out your approach accordingly.

When you feel you have everything in hand make your approach. If at any time you feel things are not going according to plan you can always abort and try again.

Always approach slowly, as slowly as possible whilst keeping steerage way. Several advantages of going slowly are you can concentrate on steering more and speed control less. The slower you are going if you hit something the less the damage will be. Occasionally strong winds will require a bit more speed to keep the boat on track.

When alongside make sure the mooring lines are on securely.

So in summary, plan ahead, stay in control of the things you can and make allowances for things you can’t. Stay calm and use clear instructions to your crew, especially when thing are going awry.

My own worst moment was approaching a row of berths with boats moored mediterranean style, ie sterns against the wharf with anchors out holding them off. (The harbour in question is Bonaficio in Corsica, pictured above). It was a blustery day and, arriving in the harbour for the first time, I was concentrating on looking for a berth. The wind was dead astern. As I got close to the row of yachts at the end of the harbour I decided to turn around and head back up the harbour while I decided if I could squeeze into the only available spot. As the boat turned broadside onto the breeze I realised I was very late making my turn. Just as I was about to apply full power and rudder to try and turn the bow into the wind, the keel of our yacht caught on the anchor line of the biggest boat at the wharf. Fortunately we had almost no way on and by some miracle we came to rest, held against his anchor line by the wind, just feet from his bow, neither touching him or any of the other boats. As good things come in threes our friend whose anchor line we were resting on was very considerate and rational about the situation. Moments later as I was trying to figure a way out the mess I was in, a powerful twin screw motor boat who had been coming in behind us offered to pull us off, quite successfully. So fortunately only one slightly bruised ego on that occasion and a valuable lesson learned.

Please comment if anyone has any good tips or any good war stories