Stopping a boat might sound like a simple matter, but in stressful situations it can be quite a tricky business. This is now demonstrated by a Accident in Rheinsberg, Brandenburg: According to police reports, a 51-year-old man was seriously injured there when he tried to push his pleasure boat away from the mooring using his own strength. Shortly before this, he had lost control of his boat and was trying to prevent a more serious incident by pushing it away himself. He was airlifted to hospital by helicopter.
This is an extreme case, but the underlying problem is a common one. When a manoeuvre threatens to go wrong, many skippers or crew members react instinctively with their bodies, even though that is precisely what creates the danger.
Never use your body to work against the boat
The most important rule is: when mooring a boat, do not use your feet, knees, hands or your whole body to stop it or keep it at a distance. Even with small yachts, considerable forces are at work in the harbour, and all the more so in windy conditions, with a current or when the boat is still moving slightly. Anyone who then tries to push the boat away from the jetty or another vessel risks slipping, getting trapped or having their leg or foot caught between the boat and a fixed edge. Instead, the rule is: distance is controlled through manoeuvres, lines and fenders.
Find out more: 20 tips for mooring and casting off without any stress
Fenders don’t just have to be outside – they have to be hung up properly
When mooring a boat, fenders do the real work. To do so, they must be positioned correctly. The widest part of the vessel is crucial, as this is where the greatest pressure is usually exerted upon contact. It is therefore worth carrying out a quick check before the manoeuvre: is the height correct, and are the fenders positioned neither too far forward nor too far aft?
Timing is just as important. If you put them out carelessly before pulling into the berth, you may hinder the manoeuvre or cause damage to the railing. Once you have cast off, any unnecessary fenders should be brought back on deck.
When climbing over something, too, it is your own judgement that counts
Many injuries occur not only on contact with the jetty, but also whilst frantically trying to rectify a situation. This includes jumping onto the jetty too early when mooring, or getting back on board too late when casting off.
You should only step over if you can safely manage the gap. At that moment, it is not impatience on board that counts, but your own judgement. Anyone who feels unsure should not jump. This is all the more true in the narrow space between the boat and the jetty, where a slip can quickly have serious consequences.
It’s better to moor alongside using ropes than by force
Brute force is rarely helpful when alongside either. Pushing against the neighbouring boat’s railing with your hands or using the boat hook to apply force can cause more damage than it prevents. It makes more sense to guide the boat in a controlled manner using lines and fenders.
The same applies to mooring lines. Lines should be neatly coiled before the manoeuvre so that they do not end up in a tangle in the water. It is equally important to route them correctly on board. A mooring line that runs over the bow or stern platform on the inside may prove problematic later on.
Find out more: Securing your load properly – what matters
When it’s windy, the order is crucial
In crosswinds in particular, a small mistake can quickly lead to unnecessary panic. In such cases, the windward side should be secured first. If you secure the leeward side first, you risk the boat drifting into the neighbouring mooring.
Many critical situations can therefore be defused even before the manoeuvre begins: position the fenders correctly, prepare the mooring lines, clarify responsibilities and avoid attempting risky rescues by putting your own body on the line. It sounds simple, but it often makes all the difference in the harbour.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama