Docks, Moorings and Marinas

For safety reasons and to avoid possible property damage, maintain a minimal speed (just enough to maintain headway and steering) when operating your personal watercraft near areas where boats are moored or docked. Traffic congestion in these areas calls for even more alertness on your part.

Unlike larger powerboats, PWCs are often beached. If you need to dock your boat or PWC the following procedures are recommended and should be practiced.

Check the current and wind direction so that you can ease the boat into the dock. It's easier to land at a dock when you are heading into the current and/or wind. Check your docking skills. Practice docking to an anchored float in open water. This will help you understand how wind and current affect the handling of your boat.

Check the water depth by looking or by using a depth sounder. A good indicator is other vessels tied to the dock which are the same size or larger than your vessel.

Without wind or current: Approach the dock slowly at a 10 to 20 degree angle. Have fenders out on the docking side and mooring lines attached to the bow and stern cleats of your boat uncoiled and ready. If your boat does not have cleats use attachment points recommended by your boat dealer or manufacturer. If someone is on the dock throw them your bow line and have it secured to the dock.

With wind or current from the dock: Use a sharper approach angle. Secure the bow line and use the engine and steering to swing the stern in.

With wind or current toward the dock: Stop the forward movement of your boat when it is parallel to and about ten feet from the dock and allow the wind and current to push the vessel to the dock.

Into the wind or current: This is not recommended, but if necessary, use just enough speed to maintain headway. Approach the dock from downwind at a shallow angle to avoid the wind or current pushing the vessel away from the dock. Swing your bow parallel to the dock at the last possible moment. Be ready to use reverse to stop and maintain your position. In this case, secure your stern line first and use your engine and steering to push the bow towards the dock.

These docking maneuvers must be practiced ahead of time so you know when to swing the bow and how much power you need to use to dock your vessel.

Docking is like parallel parking a car, it's a "practiced" skill and can't be learned the first time out.

Have plenty of fenders and use them. Make sure the fenders are of the correct size for the length and design of your vessel.

If you have passengers that are new to boating talk to them ahead of time about their role in docking.

SAFETY TIPS:

• Never allow anyone to put their hands or feet over the side of the boat when docking. Hands and feet can be injured when the boat drifts or contacts the dock.

• Do not use PFD's as fenders for your boat.

• Do not allow anyone to jump to the dock with a docking line to assist you docking your boat. Many serious accidents including slips, falls overboard, or getting injured between the boat and the dock have occurred by allowing this. If you cannot make the docking maneuver the first time, go out and try again.

• When tying your boat to the dock use the cleats or hardware attached to your boat, recommended by the manufacturer for docking. Do not use the rails or other attachments not designed for tying up your boat. This could result in damage or loss of your boat.

• Do not moor a PWC using a line around the steering area or the handle bars. Normal wave action can damage the steering and throttle mechanism. Use the trailer eye on the bow and the tow eye on the stern, or the attachment points recommended by the manufacturer.

• It is advised to use nylon line for docking as it has more stretch than other types.

• Use the nautical knots illustrated on page 19, practice these at home.

• Dock lines should be of sufficient length and size (diameter) to secure your boat to a dock in all types of conditions. Most boat equipment supply stores, or your dealer can recommend what size and length of line to equip your vessel with.

• Try to tie your boat with the bow facing into the wind. This will allow the boat to ride as it would while underway.

• Do not tie your vessel tightly to the dock. Leave a little slack in the lines to allow for waves and normal movement of the boat. If needed use a "spring line" or line tied from the dock that is next to the bow of your boat, at an angle to the stern cleat or stern tie point on your boat. This angle line will control the forward and back motion.