Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-14-2018, 10:14 AM   #1
Guru
 
City: gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,440
Avoiding docking fire drills

When docking in a strange marina we always call ahead and ask where we will be docking and what the tie up situation is. We also ask about wind and current.
We do this well before getting near the dock so there is plenty of time to get lines and fenders prepared. A little advanced information and preparation avoids fire drills.
bayview is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 01:29 PM   #2
Guru
 
High Wire's Avatar
 
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,964
We’ve experienced about 50/50 the person in the office being correct when told “bow in, port side tie.”
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
High Wire is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 01:48 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
NightCrawler's Avatar
 
City: Beaufort, NC
Vessel Name: Previous owner GB 42 Classic
Vessel Model: Currently running a 23' CC
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 211
Quote:
Originally Posted by High Wire View Post
We’ve experienced about 50/50 the person in the office being correct when told “bow in, port side tie.”
Amen. 50%? Wish it was that high in our experience. We come in looking like a deck of spaghetti, white boat trash dragging fenders on both sides now.
__________________
Jan & Lee
Beaufort, NC
NightCrawler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 02:22 PM   #4
Guru
 
ranger58sb's Avatar
 
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,087
Quote:
Originally Posted by NightCrawler View Post
Amen. 50%? Wish it was that high in our experience. We come in looking like a deck of spaghetti, white boat trash dragging fenders on both sides now.

Yeah, we got tired of it, too. While underway for a few weeks at a time, we eventually left all the fenders tied on for both sides... and then just kicked whichever side over the rub rails once we could eyeball the actual slip.

But it did help to call ahead, to the extent possible. Sometimes we could at least match up their approach instructions with a pic or map of the marina...

-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA
ranger58sb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 02:32 PM   #5
Guru
 
AusCan's Avatar
 
City: Adelaide
Vessel Name: Kokanee
Vessel Model: Cuddles 30 Pilot House Motor Sailer
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,218
I'm with you Nightcrawler,

Always have fenders on both sides when docking. You never know where you may end up if you take a wrong turn, or have to abort your docking attempt.

If it's windy, I'll have spring lines ready on both sides as well.
AusCan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 02:39 PM   #6
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
SOP for us is five fenders on each side.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 02:46 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
City: Florida
Vessel Name: Mersea
Vessel Model: Marquis 59
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 202
I agree - on several counts.


Always ask about tie up - which side, etc.


Answer I get is correct - about 50 % of the time...
FootballFan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 03:03 PM   #8
Guru
 
Pgitug's Avatar
 
City: Punta Gorda, fl
Vessel Name: Escapade
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37 2002
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,231
I enjoy using Google maps on the satellite layer to get an overview of the marina lay out. Helps me understand the description and directions I am getting over the radio.
Pgitug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 04:31 PM   #9
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
We pull up a marina close up and also check their web site to see if they have a layout there with slip numbers, transient location. We prepare both sides and find out in advance where and how we'll be docking. If we get close and there is some uncertainty, then we'll sit just off the marina until it's resolved.

The communication is key up until you're secured. That means headsets or ear pieces for all line handlers but also the ability to broadcast to dock hands through hailers or megaphones.

We've had very few fire drills, but the ones we've experienced have made me think the marina was being run by the Three Stooges. We had one in which we were on the phone with the dockmaster while his dock hand was trying to direct us totally opposite from his instructions. We finally told him we would give him time to go reach agreement with his employee, but meanwhile we were docking where he had told us initially. We then watched them yell at each other while we proceeded to dock with no assistance from either. 30 minutes later the dockmaster told us we'd need to move and we explained that if we moved it would be to another marina. He changed his mind.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 06:08 PM   #10
Guru
 
dhays's Avatar
 
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
I have been more fortunate that most apparently. Usually the information I get from the dockmaster on the radio or phone is accurate. Occasionally, I've been told that they don't know but the dock hands will direct me as I come in. In that case, we set out lines and fenders on both sides.

My boat has a bulkhead doorway on the starboard side of the aft cockpit. My wife is much more comfortable stepping off from there than she is from the aft swim step. So whenever possible, I will try for a starboard tie.
__________________
Regards,

Dave
SPOT page
dhays is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 06:12 PM   #11
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhays View Post
I have been more fortunate that most apparently. Usually the information I get from the dockmaster on the radio or phone is accurate. Occasionally, I've been told that they don't know but the dock hands will direct me as I come in. In that case, we set out lines and fenders on both sides.

My boat has a bulkhead doorway on the starboard side of the aft cockpit. My wife is much more comfortable stepping off from there than she is from the aft swim step. So whenever possible, I will try for a starboard tie.
We've been fortunate. Very seldom have we had issues with dockmaster's or dock hands. Definitely not 50/50. I prefer a starboard tie vs port and not real sure why. Perhaps it's being right handed. Now, it's probably that I've been through dozens of locks generally on the starboard side and docked probably 5 to 1 starboard. At home, we always dock starboard and when our friends visit, so do they. Just habit.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 06:16 PM   #12
Guru
 
siestakey's Avatar
 
City: Sarasota,FL/Thomasville,GA
Vessel Name: Steppin Stone IV
Vessel Model: Marine Trader Kelly Trawler 46
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,815
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhays View Post
I have been more fortunate that most apparently. Usually the information I get from the dockmaster on the radio or phone is accurate. Occasionally, I've been told that they don't know but the dock hands will direct me as I come in. In that case, we set out lines and fenders on both sides.

My boat has a bulkhead doorway on the starboard side of the aft cockpit. My wife is much more comfortable stepping off from there than she is from the aft swim step. So whenever possible, I will try for a starboard tie.
Same with us on information from the dockmaster but almost 100% of the time the person we contacted on the radio hit the nail on the head, but a larger % of the time the ones we reach on the tele gave us bad information
__________________
Alan
Skype roatan63
siestakey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 06:20 PM   #13
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by siestakey View Post
Same with us on information from the dockmaster but almost 100% of the time the person we contacted on the radio hit the nail on the head, but a larger % of the time the ones we reach on the tele gave us bad information
Interesting but makes sense that many who answer the phone don't spend time on the dock.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2018, 06:48 PM   #14
Guru
 
City: Full Time Cruising East Coast
Vessel Name: Meridian
Vessel Model: Krogen-42
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,014
Last year we called in and the dockmaster texted a drawing on how to get to our assigned slip.
__________________
-------------------------
Terry
Meridian
KK-42097
meridian is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012