Harbour manoeuvres

Preparation

1. Look at the berth and judge wind and current.
2. Hang fenders at the right height and on the right side.
3. Prepare mooring lines: made fast on the cleat and led outside the guardrail.
4. Assign roles: helm, foredeck, stern lines, one person with a roving fender.
5. Have a plan B. Usually that means: abort, motor out, try again.

Prop walk

A propeller does not only push the boat; it also kicks the stern sideways. With a right-handed propeller the stern moves to port when going astern. You notice it most when starting from a standstill.

Tip: before the first harbour manoeuvre, test in open water which way the stern pulls in reverse. Then you can use the effect deliberately when mooring.

Stern-to with a lazy line

In the Mediterranean you usually moor stern-to the quay. A lazy line anchored in the harbour holds the bow.

1. Reverse slowly into the gap with fenders on both sides.
2. The crew at the stern hands the two stern lines ashore or drops them over the bollard.
3. The lazy line is picked up at the quay, walked forward and pulled tight.
4. Only then adjust the stern lines so the boat keeps clear of the quay wall.

Alongside and leaving with a spring

Coming alongside is easier when the wind pushes you onto the pontoon. Make the bow spring fast first; then motor gently ahead against it and the stern will swing in by itself.

Leaving works the other way round: motoring against the bow spring swings the stern out, then you reverse away and slip the spring.