Things To Remember When Berthing A Yacht

When mooring a yacht alongside a berth you should make sure you have plenty of space and not have to share the dock or pontoon with another vessel. In the UK it is common to moor up alongside other vessels during the season when berthing spaces are at a premium. Whilst this may not be ideal, it does give you the opportunity to meet and talk to interesting people from all over the world.

Pontoon berthing

Prior to approaching a pontoon, it is advisable to make a pre-berthing check of the arrangements at the marina, including the positioning of the mooring cleats and bollards.

It is important that the skipper ensures that the fenders are attached at the correct height for the dock, and that they are correctly spaced along the length of the vessel. While it is not unusual for the fenders to be concentrated on the centre of the vessel, they should be spread out along the length of the boat.

It is worth noting that the front fender should be between the pulpit and the first guardrail stanchion, with the last fender located around the rear stanchion. This spacing ensures that the boat is sufficiently protected upon arrival; the front section of the vessel is the part that will contact the dock when you first arrive especially if you get the angle of approach slightly wrong.

Also, the mooring ropes need to be correctly prepared. They should be long enough without being unwieldy. Always remember that the ropes must be run under the guardrails.

The yacht should approach the pontoon heading into either the tide or the wind. A boat should be able to enter most berths if the angle of approach is between 35 and 40 degrees. As the bow closes with the pontoon the vessel should turn away so that the stern swings in, with reverse being applied in order to stop the boat completely.

Once the boat has come to a standstill, the crew with the ropes should attach them to the mooring cleats on the pontoon as soon as possible to ensure the boat does not move.

Of course, not all marinas will be the same, and the most important thing is to do your homework before you set out. For those who are perhaps well acquainted with UK moorings, berths in Doha may prove to be a completely different kettle of fish.