Like ASD and GFC, I do a "pre-cruise+ briefing. I am kind of famous for my anal retentiveness on safety and boat operation issues. Potty training is the very first issue-leaving and returning to the dock the next, and, since we often go through the Seattle Locks, lock duty is next with actual practice before we leave the dock. I tell them "If I need you to do anything, I will tell you, tell you what to do and when to do it". So, unless you hear from me, sit back, relax and enjoy. When we have experienced people on board what I get most often is "If you need us, just tell us what to do and when to do it". I try to be the same on other people's boats.
My anal retentiveness comes from one bad experience. Years ago, we docked in Little River, SC. The current ran parallel to the dock and was a tidal current. We had a 65' Trumpy, very heavy and not the most maneuverable, we did dinner charters. We docked bow to the current so we could use the current to get away from the dock. Put a rear springline on set so we could simply pull it onboard when we were away,we let the current pull the bow away from the dick. Well, one night a guest saw the line and thought we were still tied to the dock. He did not say anything or notify anyone. He put one foot on the dock and one on the rail and tried to "untie" the line. Well, needless to say, as we left the dock, he hit the drink, and had to wrap his arms around a barnacle clad piling to keep from being washed away by the current.
+100
