Dock Line Release
The moment is near.
Have a dock line untying plan based on the wind and the current direction and then communicate this to the crew. Depending on which is stronger, leave wind-ward or up-current dock lines tied until last.
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CHECK TO ENSURE THAT THE DOCK SHORE POWER LINE IS DETACHED FROM THE VESSEL AND PROPERLY STOWED. We call this the yellow dock line and it should not be released last. Not only is this an expensive mistake but one of the most embarrassing. |
The best way to release the dock lines is to reset them so that they go from the vessel to a half-turn around the dock cleat and back to the vessel. In this manner, your crew is able to be on the boat and release a dock line by just untying one end from the boat cleat and pulling the line from around the dock cleat. There is no last-moment jumping aboard which, many times, ends in providing entertainment to the diners in the dockside restaurant. This manner also allows you, as the skipper, to use your crew rather than random dock people who tend to release lines too early.
