Did not want to hijack another thread but I was reminded of an incident years ago. I thought this may help someone. I was pulling alongside a transient dock, on a parallel aproach, bleeding off speed when the dockhand requested a line from my mate at the bow and my mate obliged assuming it was proper. The dockhand proceeded to to pull my bow over and attach the line to a cleat. I had to shift the boat to reverse and gun it to minimize the impending collision with dock. The guy indicated that was the spot where he wanted me to stop and I gave him a piece of my mind about there being space for 4 boats ahead and the we could have walked the boat back and that he had no right to take away the steering of the vessel from me. Ever since, I have advised my mates to look at me for the OK to release lines to dockhands. Experienced dockhands know what you are doing and respect you for it. It is best to hand the lines over after coming to a dead stop. Sometimes wind and current require for you to relinquish steering to dockhands but let it be your choice and not theirs.
Docking and Dockhands
- Thread starter Benny
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What a great lesson Benny. Unfortunately there are too many of those eager dockhands who lack experience. Funny story that I am almost embarrassed to tell. But good for a chuckle as well as a lesson.
Anyone know the Ogeechee river? Then you know the current when there is an ebb tide! We turned off the ICW looking for a dock after a couple nights at sea. Took us forever to get up the river against the current to this little marina. Same deal, wanted to edge up to the parallel dock against the current. My crewmate knows not to hand over a dockline but was straddling the lifelines ready to do so. The dockhand grabs the line but Gary won't give it to him. The dockhand yanks Gary right over the side and into the Ogeechee!
Well I panic, fearing that I will run over him or crush him against the dock. So into reverse and full throttle. Now the funny part. Relieved I see Gary being pulled onto the dock. Problem was I was wrapping the dinghy under the boat. Right, not just the painter, the dinghy!! Next morning the diver left with $350. after freeing the dinghy and the painter. Gary spent the rest of the trip to Tampa trying to get his cellphone to work. Just one more docking story for the archives.
Anyone know the Ogeechee river? Then you know the current when there is an ebb tide! We turned off the ICW looking for a dock after a couple nights at sea. Took us forever to get up the river against the current to this little marina. Same deal, wanted to edge up to the parallel dock against the current. My crewmate knows not to hand over a dockline but was straddling the lifelines ready to do so. The dockhand grabs the line but Gary won't give it to him. The dockhand yanks Gary right over the side and into the Ogeechee!
Well I panic, fearing that I will run over him or crush him against the dock. So into reverse and full throttle. Now the funny part. Relieved I see Gary being pulled onto the dock. Problem was I was wrapping the dinghy under the boat. Right, not just the painter, the dinghy!! Next morning the diver left with $350. after freeing the dinghy and the painter. Gary spent the rest of the trip to Tampa trying to get his cellphone to work. Just one more docking story for the archives.
Docklines are bad, but what I object to even more is the "push, pull, push" on my stanchions that people do so often. They're not the ones who have to rebed them!!!
I am so tired of people "trying to help" when I/we can do it just fine. WITHOUT their "assistance." All they do is get in the way.
I am firmly convinced that it is merely a reflection of their own docking, er, "skills."
Good post, Benny.
I am so tired of people "trying to help" when I/we can do it just fine. WITHOUT their "assistance." All they do is get in the way.
I am firmly convinced that it is merely a reflection of their own docking, er, "skills."
Good post, Benny.
BTDT. Had a local dock monkey pull the bow of my Pearson right into the dock. I gave him a thorough verbal lashing. He then forgot to charge me for the slip.
Happened again from a fellow YC member with my current boat. Not as easily handled but I do not let that guy near my boat any more.
Happened again from a fellow YC member with my current boat. Not as easily handled but I do not let that guy near my boat any more.
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