Short handed long lining.

[Nostrodamus]

We were in Fiskardo in Greece this week and long lined to the shore.

It was a nightmare.

We long lined to the shore and were quiet happy for 10 minutes until boats wanted to get next to us and long line. The trouble was they wanted to rest their boat on mine and use it as a pontoon whilst they swum ashore to tie the line on.

Now I will help where I can but I am not happy to support my boat and theirs on my anchor in the strong cross wind that was blowing. Added to this was the fact that the skipper was a paid skipper and the rest of the crew had no idea. He was the one who wanted to swim ashore and fix the line leaving his boat.

Then there was the boat next door but one who backed in , tied the line and blew sidewards scratching and putting a small hole in the hull of the cat next to him.

Then there was another boat who came in besides us and was making a real hash. I tried to offer advice but he said he did not need any. During the night his boat came adrift and hit the other side of the cat and they made a hasty exit.

So, is there an easy way to long line when short handed, especially in a cross wind or is it better to forget it?

 

[duncan99210]

One of the reasons I avoid Fiskado in August.......

However, when there's a cross wind and we want to put lines ashore, I take the dinghy ashore with the lines whilst SWMBO circles the boat. I fix the up wind line, row off to the right place, tie a small fender to the end of the line and drop the dinghy anchor (also fixed to the shore line) over the side to stop it wandering. Return to boat, SWMBO operates anchor,and I drive the boat in the normal way to pick up the fender and line. Works well but does need someone capable to helming the boat.

Alternatively, one could drop a hook for short time somewhere short of the actual intended anchoring place and go through the same evolution but some othe boat would probably nick your place........

 

[Nostrodamus]

Duncan,
I totally agree with you in your technique apart from I don't use the dinghy anchor. I cannot understand sometimes why people want to tie the lines to the boat and try and hold it still in an impossible place whilst they swim ashore. Trying the lines on first is far better and means that as soon as you get them on the boat they are quiet tight but also you can winch them in.
I also have a problem with those long safety type lines on a spool. The problem with them is that should you need to get out quickly for some reason them you cannot just drop them.. they need to be cut.

 

[jordanbasset]

Would always much prefer that a new boat coming in gently came to rest next to us while they fixed their line ashore. Better to do it that way than they come back and while trying to get the line ashore they swing and pick up speed causing damage. Used allow boats to do this even in fairly strong cross winds, obviously if it was really blowing a hooley it would not be advisable. But seldom found people wanting to tie up if it was that bad.
We also used to leave fenders out just to make it easier for people to rest along side while they sorted their lines out, especially if they were relatively inexperienced.

As to ourselves we would always have lines ready and flaked out so when we arrived I could swim it ashore and we would be tied up in less than 2 minutes. If no suitable or willing boat to tie up to (would always ask first) I found a lot of reverse kept the boat in position unless, as above it, was really blowing and then I would have gone elsewhere anyway.
Also important the lines ashore were positioned such as to ensure when they were tightened up you were pulled away from the other boat.

 

[grafozz]

last time I single handed my cat onto the ne side at Fiscado I drop anchor reversing back to the shore and when its dug in , swim ashore with a stern line
whilst leaving the motors running in reverse .
This keep the chain taught and the boat stays in position until I reach ashore and tie up .
efkolos !

 

[SeamanStaines]

last time I single handed my cat onto the ne side at Fiscado I drop anchor reversing back to the shore and when its dug in , swim ashore with a stern line
whilst leaving the motors running in reverse .
This keep the chain taught and the boat stays in position until I reach ashore and tie up .
efkolos !

Fun when the anchor decides to let go though

 

[SeamanStaines]

One of the reasons I avoid Fiskado in August.......

However, when there's a cross wind and we want to put lines ashore, I take the dinghy ashore with the lines whilst SWMBO circles the boat. I fix the up wind line, row off to the right place, tie a small fender to the end of the line and drop the dinghy anchor (also fixed to the shore line) over the side to stop it wandering. Return to boat, SWMBO operates anchor,and I drive the boat in the normal way to pick up the fender and line. Works well but does need someone capable to helming the boat.

Alternatively, one could drop a hook for short time somewhere short of the actual intended anchoring place and go through the same evolution but some othe boat would probably nick your place........

Agree... Avoid!! If you really want to visit Fiskhardo in August then either turn up at about 11am and wait for a boat to come of the main quay, or better, anchor in the adjoining bay (the one with the bat cave) and go around in the tender. You also get a better nights sleep that way!

 

[RichardS]

I cannot understand this fascination with a line ashore and I try to avoid it whereever possible and certainly in a strong cross wind. I have only done it a few times when I needed to anchor in somewhere narrow and a boat was already in there with a line ashore.

We were in a large anchorage a few weeks ago - probably 250 meters across and 1000m long. We were with about 6 anchored boats and there was easily space for another dozen or so, when a boat arrived and took a line ashore but facing directly into the breeze. An hour or two later another one came along and did the same. There was no forecast wind change.

Why would anyone take a line ashore onto a lee shore in a large anchorage? Perhaps they think it gives them extra security? I suspect the opposite as a bit of drag in the night and you are on the rocks!

Richard