Excerpted from The Annapolis Book of Seamanship, Fourth Edition
HANDS ON: Near a Pier
A large proportion of accidents around boats take place at the dock. Always respect the power of a moving boat, her gear, and her surroundings. Keep hands, feet, and other parts of your body clear of the boat, trailer, and float. Once under way remember that the boat can’t be steered unless she is moving, so don’t go too slowly. But also be aware of the tremendous potential force of a moving object weighing thousands of pounds. With practice, youll be able to predict how the boat will steer at various speeds.
When handling docking lines that are under load, relieve some of the force by snubbing them, or taking a turn or two around a cleat or winch.
In tidal areas, be aware of tidal currents. A current of only 1 knot may seem slow, but every minute it carries a boat 100 feet.
Be aware of the winds strength and angle. A sailboats tall rig is especially sensitive to the wind, which will push the boat ahead, astern, or to the side depending on its direction.
For additional advice on all aspects of sailing, purchase The Annapolis Book of Seamanship, Fourth Edition from Practical Sailor.
