Before I start, this is how I do it and so for have got away with it. There somethings that you just have to try for yourself and see.

Ideally when you moor a boat up on an alongside berth you will have plenty of space and not have to share the dock or pontoon with another vessel. Here in n the UK it is common to moor up alongside other vessels during the season when berthing spaces are at a premium. This can make for some interesting moments! It also gives you the opportunity to meet and talk to interesting people.

Pontoon berthing

Before approaching the pontoon, it is a good idea to drive past to check the arrangement with the mooring cleats or bollards, if you have an inexperienced crew this is a good time to brief them as to where the mooring ropes should end up.

The skipper (or THE BOSS, She will never should) ensure that the fenders are attached at the correct height for the dock, and that they are correctly spaced along the length of the vessel. It is not unusual for the fenders to be concentrated on the centre of the vessel, in fact, they should be spread out along the length of the boat. A good guide is that the front one should be between the well deck and the first Hanging rail, the last fender should be at about the rear roof hanging rail. This spacing ensures that the boat is adequately protected when first arriving, the front section of the vessel is the part that will contact the dock when you first arrive, especially if you get the angle of approach slightly wrong.

The mooring ropes need to be prepared, they should be long enough without being unwieldy, if the crew have 3 or 4 coils in their hands when they stand at the shrouds they have about enough slack rope to be able to do their job correctly.

The boat should approach the landig heading in to the wind, , if the angle of approach is between 35° and 40° the boat should be able to enter most berths, as the bow closes with the berth the vessel should turn away so that the stern swings in and reverse should be applied to stop the boat completely.

Once stopped the crew with the ropes need to attach them to the mooring cleats on the pontoon as soon as possible to ensure the boat does not move.

Bow and stern lines

The bow and stern lines are normally the first ropes made off and for a short stay such as refuelling 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.

Reversing into a mooring

For those who are lucky to have bow thrusters, sometimes its easier to come in to a berth in reverse. The way I do it (not an expert, just my way) is to select where I want to be moored, pass the spot and point the bow out into the river at about 40°. Come to a complete stop. Start to revers in dead slow, as I get the stern about 4ft from the moorings, using the bow thrusters bring the nose in. The will bring the wheelhouse step off within a few inches from the bank. Making I easy to step off with the centre line. With a bit of forward n the engine and the boat will stop, then can be easily pulled to it mooring point.

 

What about mooring alongside another boat

When it is busy you will need to moor alongside another vessel. First lookout for the ‘moor along side sticker’. That a good sign that the owners don’t mind you attaching to them. Try to pick one that is the same size or larger and of a similar type. Before coming alongside, it is normal to ask permission and to brief the crew on what is expected, especially if you are arriving late evening. A good crew can moor to another vessel without waking them up.

During busy times I will have worked out when I intend to be leaving the next day, then it may be possible to pair up with a vessel leaving at the same time. In many tidal areas there will be two likely times that vessels will be leaving, each one depending on when the tide turns in the right direction for the next port along the coast.

You will need breast ropes between the bows and sterns of the two boats, and springs, then it is normal to rig some shore lines for each boat, but only if this is practical. By doing this the load is shared between all the boats, especially when there is a strong tide or offshore wind.

Departing when rafted up alongside

Leaving from an inside berth when you are rafted up can be very tricky. The best approach is to try to have the boats arranged on the quay in the order in which they intend to leave, especially if one is leaving at an inconvenient time. This may mean everyone leaving the dock, then returning in the appropriate order.

When you have a vessel outside you when you intend to leave, you will need to depart down wind or down tide if there is a tide running, this is contrary to the normal approach. If you attempt to leave the berth by going in to the current or the wind (if no current) it is likely the outside boats will all swing away from the quay and be unable to get back in position

The first step once everyone in the line of boats have their engines running is to remove all the unnecessary warps. Each boat should only have bow and stern lines made fast to the shore.

The boat immediately outside the one departing needs to run one rope from their stern right round the inside boat, making sure it does not foul any fittings. Then as the inner vessel reverses gently back the outer vessel can motor slightly forwards, and take up the slack on the bow and new stern line.

Protocol and Etiquette

• Ask for permission to raft up
• Plan the approach, accounting for the effects of wind and tide.
• Head towards the element that has the most effect on the boat. It unimportant which way the boat is facing in relation to the other boats.
• Brief the crew and prepare fenders and warps or lines in the usual way.
• Prepare three sets of warps or lines, the bow and stern lines to the shore and breasts and springs to attach to your neighbour.
• If the other crew are willing to help, then your crew hands them the ends of the breast lines.
• Having been made fast on the other boat, the lines are adjusted from on board your boat.
• After rigging theses lines your crew takes your bow and stern warps or lines ashore.
• The bow and stern lines are lead outside all the boats between the boat and the shore or pontoon and adjusted so they have some slack and are clear of the water.

Disadvantages of Boat Rafting

The main disadvantage of rafting up boats is that it restricts the freedom to leave the berth when you wish. When on the outside, there is the inconvenience if an inside boat leaving before you, on the inside, crews from boats outside you cross the boat’s deck to get aboard or ashore. Boats may rub and roll against each other in an exposed location, causing discomfort and sometimes damage.

 

Now that does look like I know what I am talking about, but I don’t really. It is only what I have found in the very short time living on-board and motoring abound over one summer.

 

Happy Boating

Sarah and Steve on The Lethbridge Stewart