Marina Berthing Line Handling

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Mariner69

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There have been a lot of discussions as to how spring lines can be attached when short handed.

I come from a large vessel background so am used to entering a port and having line gangs to take the mooring lines and place the eye on the shore bollard. The cost of the line gangs is met in the port fees.

When I come into a marina in my small boat, I prefer not to put me or any other person on the pontoon by jumping since, to my mind, it is dangerous. If I have a crew I might send the dinghy ahead to provide me with one or more line handlers to put the eyes on the bollards and the lines are secured inboard.

If I am paying for this marina berth (particularly as a visitor where I am not able to rig the fancy lines of known length) am I not entitled to expect the marina to provide a line handler to assist me when I berth, the cost being within the fee?

Just asking.
 
How big's your small boat?

I have to admit that when I come in (usually astern) I rig a stern line ready to throw. Even if the plan is for the crew to step ashore with a spring. That way, if a helper comes I can throw it to them, which prevents them getting their hands on the spring and making a mess of things.
 
Try rigging a belly/midship breast line.Leave it att'd to a midship cleat,coiled & ready.Pull into berth,step ashore with b-line & make fast.-You're docked.Take a breath & then put out your bow,stern & springs,to your satisfaction.I suggest bow & stern lines long enough to bring bitter end back aboard,so you can depart without dockside help.
Cheers/ Len
 
Perhaps I haven't been clear.

I pay a fee for a berth. Surely that includes a lines man to take my lines. If we don't see anyone to handle the lines then we are being short changed.

Which lines we use first, last is academic.

To answer the question:-

big vessel 220 metres length overall, 70,000 tonnes deadweight.

small boat 7.5 metres length overall, 1,000 kilogrammes deadweight.
 
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The only places that have provided a line service have generally cost me about £15 more than the general run. Pleasant though this is, my 34ft boat is better manage by the two of us, though we also have the advantage of moderate freeboard.

As well as the centre spring solution, it may help to have a ladder or ladder fender alongside for those occasions when no one is around. If I am really stuck with approaching a windward berth, it is usually much easier to lie against a leeward boat and take things from there.
 
At my marina the health and safety probably wouldn't let the staff do that as the pontoons are rotten and there is the chance of putting your foot through. Fine for berth holders though!!
 
There are a couple of places on the east coast where the HM takes your lines but these are not ordinary marinas. On a weekend at a marina with 300 berths then how many extra staff would you want them to provide? Not realistic IMO. With a big big boat then by request maybe but not for a small craft.
 
Mariner69 said:
..... am I not entitled to expect the marina to provide a line handler to assist me ...?.
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I have sympathy with your point of view having been forced to sail into a marina (bust engine).
Not only did they give me a pontoon berth which was impossible to get to, involving an upwind leg, they were "too busy" to help with shore lines.
However, given the number of boats berthing in a marina at any time I don't think expectation of a line handler is realistic.
Double the demand if you expect a line-handler to cast off as well.
Would you prepare to wait for a free line handler to become available? How long for?
Maybe a compromise would be acceptable... line handlers on request in particular circumstances.
 
Mariner69 said:
If I am paying for this marina berth (particularly as a visitor where I am not able to rig the fancy lines of known length) am I not entitled to expect the marina to provide a line handler to assist me when I berth, the cost being within the fee?

Just asking.
Click to expand...

If your agreement states that you will be provided with 'line handlers' then it would be 'entitled to think' this would be reasonable to receive that service.
However, I strongly suspect that your expectations will not be met by majority of marinas without additional charges.
Perhaps an option to meet your requirements and expectations would be to consider berthing in ports, paying the commensurate rates where line handlers are inclusive in fees paid; or as an alternative perhaps the consideration of appropriate coaching / training for your crew members to bring their berthing competencies and skills up to a point which would enable you to be self sufficient in your vessels line handling when berthing.
 
TangaraToo said:
And the respective costs for a berth?
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1. Who cares; the company, the government, the charterer or someone else pays.

2. I pay; OMG how much!! The wind is free and you expect me to pay! Falls to ground blubbing loudly before pulling cash from wallet as moths fly free. I can walk ashore and stagger back. The pleasure of the marina.
 
Mariner69 said:
Perhaps I haven't been clear.

I pay a fee for a berth. Surely that includes a lines man to take my lines.
Click to expand...

Of course they'd have to be suitably trained, certfied and wear and identifiable uniform so you can tell them apart from casual passer-bys or other boat owners. After all, you wouldn't want to pass your line ashore only to find it has been taken by a Bavaria owner. Pah!

Maybe those people who stick a couple of things in your bag at a supermarket checkout then rattle a bucket could branch out into marina line handling.
 
My limited experience is that the marina will provide someone to help if there is someone free, BUT in practice, there isn't when you need them, even if you have called in advance with your eta. Also, what happens if you arrive outside of working hours - few marinas will ask a staff member to be on site just for your arrival or will charge you handsomely.

Personally I always offer assistance when I see a single or short handed vessel approaching, without waiting to be asked and I'd like to think all other boat owners do the same, but sadly, many don't. Doesn't put me off being single handed in my 10t 11m ketch, just keep out of my way!
Ian
 
I bet they also don't provide yokohama fenders, a skip on the pontoon for your waste, a pilot, a port agent, or any of the other facilities customarily associated with ships. Yachts are not ships and no, it is not customary in most places for line-handling gangs to be provided.

Pete
 
Mariner69 said:
There have been a lot of discussions as to how spring lines can be attached when short handed.

I come from a large vessel background so am used to entering a port and having line gangs to take the mooring lines and place the eye on the shore bollard. The cost of the line gangs is met in the port fees.

When I come into a marina in my small boat, I prefer not to put me or any other person on the pontoon by jumping since, to my mind, it is dangerous. If I have a crew I might send the dinghy ahead to provide me with one or more line handlers to put the eyes on the bollards and the lines are secured inboard.

If I am paying for this marina berth (particularly as a visitor where I am not able to rig the fancy lines of known length) am I not entitled to expect the marina to provide a line handler to assist me when I berth, the cost being within the fee?

Just asking.
Click to expand...

Not apparently in the UK - in France you usually have neighbours doing the line handling, in Greece, Portugal, Spain and Turkey (in marinas) you usually have shoreside line-handlers. In Italy, where you have ormegattiore in ports they always do the line handling and are very cross if you do it yourself.

But then Brits are rubbish at service...
Thank God for all the Poles, Italians, Spaniards who come over here and wait on us.
 
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My experience in the Clyde (Largs, Portavadie, Ardrossan) is that Marinas are happy to send someone to help you. However, as I have began to get a bit better at berthing (following lots of advice on an earlier thread) its easier to establish a safe way of handling it with your crew. If I was on my own I'd have no concerns about getting some assistance from them.
 
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