Rafting etiquette

[maxi]

It's an interesting point and one without a definitive answer. Harbourmasters can be wholly competent, but all too often they can be un-versed in yachts and yachthandling or just plain inexperienced. Sometimes they are only seasonal staff and sometimes barely out of nappies. Don't ever expect a harbour authority to take legal or financial responsibility for the "advice" that they "offer".

The skipper has sole responsibility for the safety of his vessel, and accepting a HM's advice whilst knowing, or in a position to know, that the advice could be detrimental to your vessel will cut no ice with a court or your insurers.

Where there is no danger, by all means be sociable & allow others alongside (we do so regularly) but where there is good reason not to do so, ensure the safety of your vessel above all else.

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[l'escargot]

...just go ahead anyway....What could they do?

Untie you when you weren't looking?

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[Col]

I'm afraid the first person on the bouy has control of it in Newtown and it is up to that occupier if he allows you alongside or not (I know, it surprised me too) This was straight from the HM's mouth about 4 weeks ago.

Having said that, most crowded harbours seem to expect rafting up. It you are unwilling, or unable to do so, you will be requested to leave.

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[Cutter]

Another gripe - why is it being taught that outside boats dont need to take shore lines across. Recently in Yarmouth and Weymouth school boats have rafted outside our 37' Dehler and after tying off to us have gone below to begin beautification and jollification!
The first time I caught up with the crew in the pub and, finding them to be complete novices, gently pointed out this was not just good manners but also good seamanship. The second time I asked the competent (Aussie) skippers - by now there were two boats- if they would take the weight of both their boats of my cleats. They did so unwillingly and told their crew that this was unneccessary and that I was a fusspot. They then took their revenge by trampling over us all night and I am still trying to remove the dirt they trampled in.
I have no problem with a short term mooring of a smaller boat alongside and have never said no to rafting . Am I just being fussy?


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[snowleopard]

i find some of the young sailing instructors to be the most arrogant while the old salts are usually very considerate.

with less experienced crew it's usually sufficient to explain things politely. i once had a boat with a large crew rafted on me and the young men started trooping through our cockpit - while we were sitting there having supper! once we had told them about the rafting rules they were happy to go the long way round. pity though that their skipper hadn't briefed them.

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