Moving others' boats

[DFL1010]

Thanks all, that pretty much tallies up with my understanding/expectation of the situation.

Has Britain become so litigious that people first think about their insurance and their solicitor before they do anything?

Well, I was thinking along the lines that if I were moving someone else's boat without permission, and did some damage, it should really be me that at least offers to pay for it. Likewise I'd expect an offer to pay if it were my boat. Therefore, if it's a big expensive boat, paying that bill would be quite annoying, making me less likely to move the thing (not to mention those with expensive boats tend to be a bit more precious about the thing, not entirely unreasonably).

 

[Mark-1]

Thanks all, that pretty much tallies up with my understanding/expectation of the situation.




Well, I was thinking along the lines that if I were moving someone else's boat without permission, and did some damage, it should really be me that at least offers to pay for it. Likewise I'd expect an offer to pay if it were my boat. Therefore, if it's a big expensive boat, paying that bill would be quite annoying, making me less likely to move the thing (not to mention those with expensive boats tend to be a bit more precious about the thing, not entirely unreasonably).

Or to put it another way if you damage a boat rafting up you can claim on insurance (if you choose to claim), if you damage a boat by moving it you can't. BUT, damaging a boat by moving a few metres along a pontoon seems highly unlikely.

My initial reaction to this thread was "I'd never move a boat". But the more I think about it the more examples I can think of where I've done it. Including one this year so I suspect we've all done it but it doesn't stick in the mind.

Anyone who honestly has never moved someone else's boat must rarely be berthing on long visitor pontoons with frequent movements. They're not saints, they just haven't needed to.

 

[DanTribe]

I was approaching a Tee head berth in Holland when a small dayboat whipped in and parked in the middle of the pontoon. I asked him to move up a bit to give us room but he replied that he was first and wouldn't move. The havenmeester arrived and spoke to him but he walked off. Havenmeester then undid the mooring ropes and pushed the boat off, (mud and reeds downwind). His comment, "that's how to deal with those *@#**s".

 

[Stemar]

I was approaching a Tee head berth in Holland when a small dayboat whipped in and parked in the middle of the pontoon. I asked him to move up a bit to give us room but he replied that he was first and wouldn't move. The havenmeester arrived and spoke to him but he walked off. Havenmeester then undid the mooring ropes and pushed the boat off, (mud and reeds downwind). His comment, "that's how to deal with those *@#**s".

I thoroughly approve, but wouldn't do it myself - far too much of a coward!

OTOH, I would move a boat as long as it was genuinely necessary and I was sure I could do it safely. An example: I needed to get onto the mast derrick at my club and the rigger had asked me to put the boat in a particular position in relation to the derrick, which wasn't possible because of an unattended small yacht. I moved the yacht a few metres forward and tied it up with as much care as I would use on my own boat.

It's always good to remember that, like with that car that's parked just right to be a major pain, it may not be their fault. That might have been the only spot when they came in.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I was approaching a Tee head berth in Holland when a small dayboat whipped in and parked in the middle of the pontoon. I asked him to move up a bit to give us room but he replied that he was first and wouldn't move. The havenmeester arrived and spoke to him but he walked off. Havenmeester then undid the mooring ropes and pushed the boat off, (mud and reeds downwind). His comment, "that's how to deal with those *@#**s".

Given that most curse words in English are of Dutch origin, I hate to think what's represented by *@#**s"

 

[Gary Fox]

Unfortunately, they have a habit of ending up trailing in the water after I have walked past. Actually, that's not really true; it's the unruly mess of rope that usually ends up in the water. One doesn't want to leave a hazard for others to trip over, does one?

So you kick other peoples' mooring lines into the water, because they offend your delicate sensibilities?

 

[Gary Fox]

I certainly have helped move boats along the pontoon in order to make best use of the available space. In my experience it is a common practice in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Provided it is done with due care, just like when moving one’s own boat, I do not see why anyone would mind.
Has Britain become so litigious that people first think about their insurance and their solicitor before they do anything?

Agree

 

[DanTribe]

Given that most curse words in English are of Dutch origin, I hate to think what's represented by *@#**s"

I've often been impressed by Dutchmen's command of English swearing.

 

[johnalison]

So you kick other peoples' mooring lines into the water, because they offend your delicate sensibilities?

If they represent a trip hazard - yes.

 

[Mark-1]

So you kick other peoples' mooring lines into the water, because they offend your delicate sensibilities?

I had a girlfriend once who always did those tight flat coil things you see at boatshows. I always kicked them back into scruff order because the boatshow coil things offended my sensibilities. ?

 

[Tradewinds]

I know someone who had his jaw broken for messing with another boat's lines. Port St Mary IOM mid/late 70s.
Ecky thump, cruising was a tough world back then .

 

[Mark-1]

I know someone who had his jaw broken for messing with another boat's lines. Port St Mary IOM mid/late 70s.
Ecky thump, cruising was a tough world back then .

If my GF had caught me....