Knowledge

Manoeuvre

- Physical intervention to prevent boats from colliding carries a high risk of injury; maintain a safe distance solely by manoeuvring, using lines and fenders.
- Fenders must be correctly positioned at the widest point of the boat; do not climb over or jump from the boat unless the distance can be safely controlled.
- Boat control in the harbour is achieved through prepared mooring lines, clear procedures and the correct sequence when securing the boat, particularly in crosswinds.

Mooring a boat: How to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

- A legervall occurs in onshore winds, waves or currents and can quickly cause yachts that are not at a sufficient distance from the leeward coast to run aground.
- Clusters of accidents, particularly in Seegatten and harbour entrances, are often the result of overconfidence, unfamiliarity with the area and technical failure.
- Prevention: choose the leeward shore, factor in currents and break-off points, keep the anchor clear, keep sails ready to reef, make radio contact early and consider insurance risks.

Avoiding Legerwall: What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

- Gaff sails were a defining feature of sailing for centuries, but were later superseded by engines on commercial vessels and by square sails on yachts.  
- The classic gaff sail uses a topsail for light winds; variants with a steeper gaff do not require a topsail and allow for shorter masts.  
- The Dutch type, with a long mast leech and short gaff, lowers the sail’s centre of gravity; the wishbone rig increases sail area and ease of handling, but is expensive and complex.

Traditional sails: What gaffs and spread gaffs can do

- The junk sail distributes tension via partial sheets to the battens, uses lightweight canvas, has virtually no heel, and can be reefed very easily without reefing lines.
- Boats with a junk rig are considered less capable than sloops when sailing close to the wind, but are otherwise similarly capable whilst being significantly easier to handle.
- Sprit sails are simple, inexpensive and gaff-like; they were used on many working boats and, despite their large sail area, allow the boat to be operated with a small crew.

Traditional sail types: junksails and sprit sails explained

- Mooring in a tight squeeze is common in busy summer harbours; preparation, consideration and clear arrangements make docking and casting off safe and stress-free.  
- Legally, it is difficult to refuse a request to moor alongside; conflicts usually arise from a lack of consideration, poor communication and a rush.  
- Important practical rules: choose suitable neighbouring boats, fend off properly, lay out mooring lines, coordinate departure times and never untie other people’s lines without permission.

Crowded harbours in summer: how to moor safely and peacefully in a cluster

- Mooring against rocks requires careful preparation, including checking the weather, gathering information about the area, choosing the right time of day and clearly assigning roles on board.
- Essential equipment: stern anchor with at least 30 m of line, long bow lines, rock nails, a hammer, various fenders and, if necessary, a bow ladder.
- Safe mooring spots have suitable draught, minimal swell and a dry exit; make your first attempts in light winds and have a Plan B for free anchoring.

Mooring at the skerry: How to carry out the manoeuvre in Sweden’s natural harbours

- In crowded summer harbours, skippers can often still find safe, and sometimes unconventional, moorings by being flexible, improvising and communicating.
- There are 15 methods, ranging from mooring in clusters, shared or blocked berths, jetty heads, shallow areas and commercial shipping routes to the outer edge of the pier.
- Digital berth booking via an app can make the search easier, but it is no substitute for a first-hand look at the site, thorough preparation and consultation with the harbour master and crews.

Crowded harbours in summer 2026: 15 tips on how to find a berth after all

- Rah sails are simple, robust and, above all, powerful when sailing downwind and broad reach, but inefficient when sailing close-hauled and labour-intensive when tacking.
- Lugger sails are square-rigged and, in general, more effective close-hauled than square-rigged sails; they allow for a large sail area with a short mast.
- Dipplugger, fixed and balanced lugger sails differ primarily in terms of the effort required to manoeuvre them, their handling and their suitability for small crews.

Traditional sail types: How square-rigged sails and lug sails work

- A skipper suffered a cardiac arrest near Neustadt/Holstein; the DGzRS and the land-based rescue service rescued him from the sea in a critical condition following resuscitation.
- At sea, it is crucial to raise the alarm quickly, secure the boat, position the casualty correctly, monitor vital signs and, where appropriate, administer any available heart medication.
- In the event of cardiac arrest, immediate chest compressions, artificial respiration where necessary and – if available – early use of an AED are essential until professional help arrives.

​Cardiac arrest on board: What the crew must do immediately

- Muringbojen bieten eine alternative Liegeoption zum Ankern oder Hafen, bestehen aus Boje, Kette und festem Grundgeschirr wie Betonblock oder Bodenschraube.
- Nutzung, Kosten, Regeln und Traglast variieren je nach Region und Betreiber, etwa in Dänemark, auf den Balearen oder in Eckernförde.
- Risiken sind unklare Wartung, mögliche Brüche oder Grundberührungen; Skipper haben Sorgfaltspflicht und sollten Zustand und Eignung der Boje prüfen.

Practice: How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

- Böen entstehen durch dynamische und thermische Turbulenzen; sie können deutlich stärker als der Mittelwind und zunehmend häufiger auftreten.  
- Sicherheit erfordert Vorbereitung von Yacht und Crew, flachen Grundtrimm, ggf. vorsorgliches Reffen und angepasste Reaktion je nach Kurs.  
- In Böen Groß und Genua aktiv trimmen (Traveller, Schot, Achterstag), Boot möglichst aufrecht steuern und Kurs halten statt mit viel Lage aussteuern.

Seamanship: Mastering gusts - tips for greater safety and comfort

- Long, elastic mooring lines with shock absorbers, multiple attachment points and springs minimise damage during storms and high water.
- The mooring box should be as much longer as possible than the boat; adjust the length of the lines using the boat hook method to suit the expected water level.
- In extreme weather, avoid mooring in tight quarters, carefully assess floating jetties, reduce the windage area, and fit all fenders and additional lines.

Seamanship: Mooring correctly – what matters

What are sailing manoeuvres? ✅ What sailing manoeuvres are there? ➤ All sailing manoeuvres at a glance + tips ✅

All sailing manoeuvres at a glance - simply explained

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All sailing manoeuvres at a glance - simply explained

Mooring a boat
How to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

Avoiding Legerwall
What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

Traditional sails
What gaffs and spread gaffs can do

Traditional sail types
Junksails and sprit sails explained

Crowded harbours in summer
How to moor safely and peacefully in a cluster

Mooring at the skerry
How to carry out the manoeuvre in Sweden’s natural harbours

Crowded harbours in summer 2026
15 tips on how to find a berth after all

Traditional sail types
How square-rigged sails and lug sails work

Cardiac arrest on board
What the crew must do immediately

Practice
How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

Seamanship
Mastering gusts - tips for greater safety and comfort

Seamanship
Mooring correctly – what matters

All sailing manoeuvres at a glance - simply explained

Mooring a boatHow to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

Avoiding LegerwallWhat skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

Traditional sailsWhat gaffs and spread gaffs can do

Traditional sail typesJunksails and sprit sails explained

Crowded harbours in summerHow to moor safely and peacefully in a cluster

Mooring at the skerryHow to carry out the manoeuvre in Sweden’s natural harbours

Crowded harbours in summer 202615 tips on how to find a berth after all

Traditional sail typesHow square-rigged sails and lug sails work

​Cardiac arrest on boardWhat the crew must do immediately

PracticeHow to moor safely to a mooring buoy

SeamanshipMastering gusts - tips for greater safety and comfort

SeamanshipMooring correctly – what matters

Mooring a boat
How to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

Avoiding Legerwall
What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

Traditional sails
What gaffs and spread gaffs can do

Traditional sail types
Junksails and sprit sails explained

Crowded harbours in summer
How to moor safely and peacefully in a cluster

Mooring at the skerry
How to carry out the manoeuvre in Sweden’s natural harbours

Crowded harbours in summer 2026
15 tips on how to find a berth after all

Traditional sail types
How square-rigged sails and lug sails work

Cardiac arrest on board
What the crew must do immediately

Practice
How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

Seamanship
Mastering gusts - tips for greater safety and comfort

Seamanship
Mooring correctly – what matters