What a strange choice of photograph

[SeamanStaines]

Some silly replies here.You can't secure the boat in Cherbourg without stepping off, you have to thread the line through a hoop to secure the boat. hat is notpossible without first stepping off. I am sure there are lots of other examples too.

http://www.fcsproducts.com/

or

http://www.moorfast.com/

I have used both. I also have a straightfarward snap shackle on a line

 

[chinita]

I think you have all missed the point. Whether they do this as a regular comedy routine or not, why is it the featured on the Marina site at all?

Yes, that was my original point - not to start a debate on berthing techniques. I, too, was puzzled by the photo you posted - looked like Med berthing to me with no finger pontoons - either that or an implication that if you take a berth you will have two others rafting up alongside!

 

[Brightwork]

Wooses.

This This is how it's done.

 

[Searush]

I agree with the choice of piccies, but I'd like to know how I can lasso a ring on a quayside 20 foot above my head & 5' back from the edge?

If I am not able to pick up a previously prepared fixed mooring, it is necessary for me to climb a ladder with the bow & stern warps in order to moor. As I am captain, mate & crew, & there is usually a current along the quayside, this requires me to steer to the ladder, stop right by it & then walk to the ladder, picking up the warps on the way, step over the safety lines & climb the ladder before I can secure the bow warp (against the current) & then pull the stern back in. Oh & there are boats (often double banked) within 5' of my bow & stern.

if anything goes wrong (not quite out of gear say) then there is no-one on the boat as I am on the quayside & attempting to hold the boat with 2 warps. it does concentrate the mind somewhat to make sure all the right things happen at all the right times.

 

[SeamanStaines]

I agree with the choice of piccies, but I'd like to know how I can lasso a ring on a quayside 20 foot above my head & 5' back from the edge?

If I am not able to pick up a previously prepared fixed mooring, it is necessary for me to climb a ladder with the bow & stern warps in order to moor. As I am captain, mate & crew, & there is usually a current along the quayside, this requires me to steer to the ladder, stop right by it & then walk to the ladder, picking up the warps on the way, step over the safety lines & climb the ladder before I can secure the bow warp (against the current) & then pull the stern back in. Oh & there are boats (often double banked) within 5' of my bow & stern.

if anything goes wrong (not quite out of gear say) then there is no-one on the boat as I am on the quayside & attempting to hold the boat with 2 warps. it does concentrate the mind somewhat to make sure all the right things happen at all the right times.

Well, there are always challenges . You would not be able to jump anyway so it's not really the same situation. I think if I was faced with that in a yacht our size I wild not attempt it, there is no way I have the strength th control that whilst climbing up a ladder! I guess I would probably make fast amidships to the ladder, then run the proper lines. I certainly would not want to be half way up a ladder holding two lines with fifteen tonne of boat on the other end!

 

[Sans Bateau]

She would be likely to get a very badly gashed foot in our marina, with nasty screw heads protruding from the worn out decking.

 

[Elessar]

Some silly replies here.You can't secure the boat in Cherbourg without stepping off, you have to thread the line through a hoop to secure the boat. hat is notpossible without first stepping off. I am sure there are lots of other examples too.

don't think so. The french cleats were already noted.
Drop the crew somewhere easy in that case. Leaping is an accident waiting to happen. And still common, my observations suggests more so amongst raggies than stinkies.

 

[Seven Spades]

I never endorsed leaping at all, but Stepping off is absolutely fine and essential on some occasions.

 

[benjenbav]

don't think so. The french cleats were already noted.
Drop the crew somewhere easy in that case. Leaping is an accident waiting to happen. And still common, my observations suggests more so amongst raggies than stinkies.

I used to leap when I was younger and more foolish.

One time I landed on my shoulder and it served me right.

 

[yoty]

As well as being too far away, barefoot and heading for a cleat, another reason against leaping onto pontoons is that quite a few risk one going straight through !

I never put crew in that position, usually they should step ashore from the widest bit of the boat, where there are shrouds to steady oneself first.

Quite true! I once 'stepped' down off a Trapper 42 up the Medina and went straight through the pontoon. I felt my leg give an enormous grunt and felt sure it was about to break. Fortunately it didn't and I made it into the Folly. Good name that!

 

[scotts_mist]

I have a "guide" I give non-competent crew before they come aboard. For mooring up, I have this section as our home finger pontoon is covered in raised screws, broken planks and is very wobbly...


"Hold onto the stanchion (wire holding up the mast) and carefully step to the outside of the guard wires. You’re now in a quite precarious position.
As the boat nears the pontoon, feel free to call out how far off the pontoon we are!
When you are comfortably within stepping distance, step onto the pontoon. DO NOT JUMP!
Remember the pontoon is wobbly. If at all unsure, drop to a knee until you get your balance.
Now, run the rear warp around the rear cleat on the pontoon. Do the same with the front one. Pull them tight and hold them. Once the boat is stable and pulled close in, the skipper will tell you to cleat them off.
Trying to stop the boat without using a cleat, by adopting the classic “water skier” pose, won’t work. You’ll just be pulled off of the pontoon.
Do bear in mind that the warps between boat and pontoon at this point are only temporary so don’t go mad on it! Don’t feel offended that all the warps are about to be re-made.
NOTE: On no account should you attempt to place any part of your body between the pontoon and the boat (or between our boat and another) to try and avoid us bumping. The boat weighs several tonnes and will most likely crush whatever limb or appendage you place in the way.
Just let us crash and I’ll try to do better next time! Or, better still just move one of the fenders to take up the impact."

 

[jpthegp]

Very interesting photo - used for Neyland Marina but the pontoon is way up Haven at Dale where there is a floating pontoon often used by sailing schools - and this boat bears the Pembrokeshire Cruising logo. I suspect those aboard are on one of their training courses. We all learnt at some point, and it looks like some more practice is needed here.
Pembrokeshire Cruising are based at Neyland, so Yacht Havens probably borrowed one of the brochure photos from them - suits me - keeps costs down and my berthing fees less!