Stopping your boat safely before docking is an important part of boat navigation. Many people fail to realize how much momentum a boat can carry even when it seems like it is not moving.
Boats can travel at fast speeds even when they are just sitting still. This is referred to as static speed and it comes from the force of the water pushing against the boat.
When you are anchoring a boat, you need to make sure that you have enough line out to where you can pull the anchor up and away from the bottom of the water. If you do not do this, your ship will be stuck and may take damage.
The same goes for docking; you need to have enough room to stop your boat before entering the dock. If not, then you may end up damaging your vessel or someone else’s on the pier.
Flip the toggle switch to set the reverse gear
Once the boat has slowed to a speed that allows you to set the boat in neutral, then you can set the toggle switch to reverse. This prevents the boat from moving forward while you are trying to dock.
Many boats have different names for the toggle switch that changes the direction of the propeller, some call it a gear shift or a transmission shifter. Check your boat’s manual for the proper name of this feature.
Some boats do not have a neutral setting, instead having just forward and reverse. If your boat does not have a neutral setting, then you will need to stop the forward motion by pulling up on the steering wheel or rod.
Set the reverse gear
Once you are in close proximity to the dock, it is time to stop the forward motion of your boat. Many boaters choose to do this by shifting the transmission into reverse.
This can be a dangerous mistake!
If the boat is not in sync with the dock, then putting it in reverse will just accelerate the boat away from the dock. You could also tear up the underwater parts of your boat called thrusters or props.
The best way to avoid this is by setting the reverse gear before you start approaching the dock. Then, when you are close enough, you can simply shift it into neutral.
By doing this, your boat will stop moving forward immediately.
Slowly press the button to set the reverse mode
Once the boat has stopped moving forward, you can set the boat in neutral. Neutral means the boat is not moving, but the engine is still on.
There are two ways to set a sailboat in neutral. The first way is to pull the rope that raises and lowers the sails. This pulls up the jib (the front sail) or lays it flat, which pulls up the main (the back sail) or lays it flat. This disables how much wind catches the sails, so the boat stops moving.
The second way is to set a switch or button to turn off the jib and main, leaving only a small part of the back sail laying flat. This also disables wind catching ability.
Gradually adjust the throttle control
Once you have determined that you are close enough to the dock, or to another boat, to make the stop, then you can begin gently slowing down the boat.
If you have your own boat, you may be familiar with the term “dead down wind,” which means the wind and water movement has been eliminated.
This is what you are trying to achieve when stopping at the dock—you want to have zero movement of the boat. You want to be in a position where all of the lines are tight and there is no extra motion from pulling in the lines or dropping gear.
When docking a sailboat, this means getting down low on the deck so that there is no more movement. In a powerboat, it means having zero wake behind the boat.
Check your stern lights
A critical safety requirement when docking is to have clear visibility of the rear of your boat. This is achieved by having working stern lights and/or a visible painted stripe on the back of your boat.
Stern lights can be purchased at most marine stores or online. The lights must be DOT approved and compatible with your vessel. Most require an electrical plug to function, but some are battery powered for easy installation and removal.
If you have a hard time remembering to turn your stern lights on before docking, there are two other easy options to ensure you have adequate visibility at the rear of your boat. One is to purchase a light that is wired to a switch so that it turns on automatically when you dock. The other is to place a light on the back of the boat above the water line so that it shines down onto the painted stripe below.
Docking accidents can be extremely scary, but being aware of safety precautions and taking time to install them will help prevent any unfortunate incidents.
Check your stern radar
A stern radar can help you determine the distance between your boat and another vessel. This device can also alert you if a vessel is approaching your rear end.
Stern radars come in handy when you are busy maneuvering the ship’s wheel or controlling the bow thruster. It is important to keep an eye on the radar as well as what is behind you while doing these tasks.
It is recommended to have a separate monitor to view the rear of the ship so that you can fully trust the radar. Having this extra vigilance can help prevent accidents that may occur in the back of the ship.
Having a stern radar can save lives by letting people know there is someone coming up on their rear, or that they are not moving forward. This lets people working on the deck be more aware and cautious.
Check your steering mechanism
Make sure that your steering mechanism is in good working order and that you have full control over your boat.
If your steering mechanism was not in good working order, then you would not have control over the direction of your boat. This could be a major problem when docking, as you want to have complete control over your boat.
If you did not have full control over your boat, then you would not be able to dock it properly. The waves could push it off course or pull it away from the pier, making docking difficult.
Making sure that your steering is in good working order is a simple check that everyone should do before docking.
Communicate with dock personnel
Prior to slowing your boat down, ensure that there is someone on the dock to receive your line. This person should be standing in a safe position to receive the line.
Before stopping your boat, check that the waterway is clear of other boats and obstacles. This can be done by contacting someone on the dock or looking in a different direction.
As you begin to slow down your boat, keep an eye on the line and where it is headed. Make sure it does not wrap around any parts of the boat or come loose.
Once your boat has stopped moving forward, check that the lines are not too tight and that there is enough play in them. Loose lines can result in awkward pulling on the other boat, making it harder to dock correctly.
These tips are very important because they prevent injuries and damage to boats and docks.
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