Using a Spring Line to get off the pier

[delevi]

I learned this technique from a couple of old salts in Greece on the island of Naxos. First the story. When we arrived, it was the middle of the night and the wind was blowing 40 kts. I attempted to moor as they do in Greece, using the anchor and backing up to the pier. As I rounded area where I was to drop anchor, I proceeded to turn the boat around but underestimated the current and wind. Before I new it I was heading for another boat with my starboard beam. Fortunately, there was space alongside the pier just ahead of me, so I gave old Pytheus full throttle, just clearing the boat and going into the pier beam side. Fenders were down, so despite the hard landing, no damage. Now you’re not supposed to moor this way, since I was technically taking up three spots, but I was stuck. I had a boat just a few feet from the bow and another a few feet from the stern. The wind and current were directly on my port beam and starboard beam was on the pier. We weren’t moving.

We spent an awesome day in Naxos, not planning to go anywhere due to force 8 winds all day. I managed to convince the port authorities not to charge me a triple fee, thanks to a tip I got form marina neighbor. “If you tell them the conditions were stormy and it was an emergency, they can’t charge you extra.” It was actually the truth and it worked, though they did attempt to charge me triple.

Anyhow, the following day it was time to go and the wind was still blowing 20-25 with a strong current. A couple of guys told me what do it i.e. setting up a spring line. This involves a long docking line wrapped around a cleat at the pier around amid ship. Fortunately, there was one in that location. You don’t cleat off to it but wrap the line so one end is on your boat’s cleat, then wraps around the pier’s cleat and back to your boat’s cleat. You then put fenders on your stern and quarter beam at the stern. Then turn the helm towards the pier and put her in reverse. Give plenty of throttle. The trick to this is to be patient. Slowly, the bow starts to swing out. The stern quarter is pressed up against the pier, thus the need for the fenders. Initially I tried to take off too early, but the guys stopped me on time, telling me to wait longer. It took about 20-30 seconds for the bow to come out about 45 degrees. Possibly faster on the Mac w/ 50 hp+ Once I had sufficient bow clearance, I had Dawn uncleat the line as I came out of reverse and went into hard forward while turning the helm the other way. We were free, and not a scratch

Leon

[Shane]

Hi Leon,

I'm still getting my head (and lines) around docking & springlines, but they are an intelligent way of letting mechanical & standing forces do more of the work than you do. There are/have been several threads on this, and I keep reading over all I can about docking & using lines effectively.

Although I haven't really gotten into a have to use situation yet (ie: real strong winds during docking/departing, or 27 ft of dockspace for bringing in that 27.5 ft of mac), I try to practice those situations to help prepare for the have to situations that I will inevitably find myself in some time. Unfortunately, I don't think it will be occurring anywhere near the Greek Islands

I know there are many, but here's one site that has a lot of good animated examples: http://www.cruising.sailingcourse.com/docking.htm

I've ordered (awaiting it's arrival) a book that looked interesting entitled 'Boat docking: Close quarters maneuvering for small craft : or, boat skidding with nonchalance : or, help for the dysfunctional docker' by Charles T Low. If it seems good, I'll try to remember to forward that info on here.

Regards,
Shane

[James V]

Some day I will need to get enough nerve to med moor. Just too much in the back of the boat to risk backing up.

I have done something like this but was able to fend off. I do prefer backing and having somebody hold the bow off. I have also gotton help from other boats.

[eric3a]

..

[beene]

Actually the more usual and conventional way of using a spring line to get off a dock when the wind is blowing you onto it is to use the spring line to the bow and power fwd, rudder full towards the dock

That's the way I would do it. I always back off the fuel dock at my marina, which has the wind blowing into it at 70deg from the NW. Even when not using the spring line method, I ask the staff to hold my bow and give the stern a good shove while I back away from the dock. I find that much easier than trying to get the bow far enough out to make the turn into wind, too much freeboard.

G