gus
Member
Most times having someone raft up alongside is not a problem, perhaps a slight inconvenience but all in the spirit of sharing the facilities. The problem only occurs when boaters neither understand the correct procedure nor the etiquette. On the few ocassions that I have concerns for their lack of knowledge and to avoid misunderstandings, I have printed sheets of the requirements for berthing alongside which I can hand to my errant neighbour. In otherwords - you are welcome alongside - if you do it properly and respect my boat and my privacy. I find that if there is a problem, then handing them a sheet of the 'rules', very quickly brings them to their senses without any agro developing. Often they are appreciative of someone taking the time to show them how to do it properly. Something which many charter companies obviously don't do.
I have added a copy for anyone to use (perhaps with your own modifications) and perhaps we may see a future improvement in the etiquette of rafting up.
Gus
Rules for berthing outside of another boat.
1. Berthing alongside another boat/yacht is not a right and it is common courtesy to request permission to do so.
2. Suitable and sufficient fendering must be used by the incoming vessel to avoid any contact and subsequent damage.
3. The use of boat hooks, especially the metal type, is not allowed on painted structural parts and fittings as damage can be easily sustained.
4. Make sure that masts are not in line with each other to avoid clashing.
5. Mooring ropes to be of adequate size for the vessel – no string allowed.
6. Mooring ropes to have a loop on the receiving end, which is placed onto a suitable bollard or cleat of the host and led back out through the fairleads. The rope is then adjusted on the incoming vessel, which retains the excess rope.
7. Bow and stern ropes, fore and aft springs, and shore lines to be adjusted correctly so that there is some free riding movement between the boats and the incomer is not hanging onto the host. The final adjustment to be to the satisfaction of the host.
8. Power cables to be led over the bow.
9. When crossing over, standing on any varnished woodwork is not allowed.
10. Footwear shall be appropriate deck shoes – NOT Catboots, hard soled leather shoes, heavy footwear, or black soles.
11. Every caution taken to minimise noise and disturbance to the host boat on crossing.
12. Care taken to use appropriate handholds and not cause damage to less robust fittings on deck.
13. Crossing to be around the bow and only around the stern under exceptional circumstances and with permission. Crossing over the coach roof is not allowed.
14. The frequency of journeys across the host boat to be kept to a minimum to avoid undue disturbance.
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I have added a copy for anyone to use (perhaps with your own modifications) and perhaps we may see a future improvement in the etiquette of rafting up.
Gus
Rules for berthing outside of another boat.
1. Berthing alongside another boat/yacht is not a right and it is common courtesy to request permission to do so.
2. Suitable and sufficient fendering must be used by the incoming vessel to avoid any contact and subsequent damage.
3. The use of boat hooks, especially the metal type, is not allowed on painted structural parts and fittings as damage can be easily sustained.
4. Make sure that masts are not in line with each other to avoid clashing.
5. Mooring ropes to be of adequate size for the vessel – no string allowed.
6. Mooring ropes to have a loop on the receiving end, which is placed onto a suitable bollard or cleat of the host and led back out through the fairleads. The rope is then adjusted on the incoming vessel, which retains the excess rope.
7. Bow and stern ropes, fore and aft springs, and shore lines to be adjusted correctly so that there is some free riding movement between the boats and the incomer is not hanging onto the host. The final adjustment to be to the satisfaction of the host.
8. Power cables to be led over the bow.
9. When crossing over, standing on any varnished woodwork is not allowed.
10. Footwear shall be appropriate deck shoes – NOT Catboots, hard soled leather shoes, heavy footwear, or black soles.
11. Every caution taken to minimise noise and disturbance to the host boat on crossing.
12. Care taken to use appropriate handholds and not cause damage to less robust fittings on deck.
13. Crossing to be around the bow and only around the stern under exceptional circumstances and with permission. Crossing over the coach roof is not allowed.
14. The frequency of journeys across the host boat to be kept to a minimum to avoid undue disturbance.
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