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Leaving a Dock
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Backing away from a dock usually offers the
best maneuvering control. It also avoids a problem inherent to forward
departures when the boat starts to turn and its stern swings into the
dock, preventing the boat from departing cleanly. Start by turning the
wheel away from the dock, which rotates the propeller away from the
dock. Shift into reverse, the stern swings away from the dock as the
boat backs away. To avoid scraping the bow against the dock, make your
turning angle slight. When clear of the dock, turn the wheel in the
opposite direction to bring the boat parallel to the dock. Center the
wheel, pause briefly in neutral while counting 1-2-3, then shift to
forward.
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Minimum
Control Speed
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A capability that is
a "must" for anyone operating a powerboat in close quarters or around
other boats or persons in the water. Minimum control speed
is the slowest speed at which you can operate and still maintain
steering control. Typically, this is less than the speed produced when
the engine is in gear and the throttle is set at idle rpm, and is
accomplished by the use of intermittent power. With the throttle at idle
rpm, shift from neutral to forward and back to neutral. This produces a
short, gentle pulse of power to maintain steering control. Repeat this
technique to keep the boat under control and moving slowly.
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Pivot Turn
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A method for turning a boat in a restricted area. Its success
depends on positioning the helm first and then applying power in very
short applications. It is seldom necessary to use more than idle
RPM. Starting at rest, turn the wheel hard over and shift into gear at
idle rpm to initiate the pivot turn. Shift into neutral and turn the
wheel hard over in the opposite direction, while counting 1-2-3. Shift
into reverse at idle rpm to continue the turn, and repeat the steps
until the boat has completed the turn.
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Person In the
Water (PIW) Rescue
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If a person
falls overboard, immediately swing the stern and propeller away from the
person in the water. Shout “Crew Overboard!” and throw buoyant objects
such as cushions and life rings toward the person. Assign a spotter.
Designate someone to point to the person. Maneuver the boat into a
position downwind. Approach slowly using intermittent power, bow first
pointing into the wind and waves with the person in the water on the
driver’s side. Shift into neutral and coast to the person. When contact
is made, shut off the engine. Attach the person to the boat using a
looped line. Assist the person to get back into the boat.
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Holding Position
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The key to holding position is to
anticipate boat drift and make small, gentle corrections early rather
than large powerful corrections late. There are two methods for holding
position: Bow into Waves, and Stern into Waves. Since the bow will
usually have a tendency to turn away from the wind, you will have to
compensate for this by periodically shifting into forward gear and
making slight steering corrections to bring the bow back into the wind.
Because the bow wants to turn downwind, it is usually easier to hold
position with the stern into the wind, provided the waves don’t come
over the transom.
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Boat motion is exaggerated
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the GIF for demonstration purposes. |
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Approach to a Mooring Buoy
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Moorings typically have a large buoy that
is attached to an anchor on the bottom with chain. The driver should
approach the mooring with it on his side of the boat to keep it in sight
throughout the maneuver. Approach at minimum control speed from a
position downwind of the buoy, or down current if stronger. Shift into
neutral. Use reverse if needed to stop boat. Pick up and secure mooring
pennant.
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High-Speed Stop
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To avoid a possible collision with a
submerged object or another boat it maybe necessary to stop your boat
quickly. To be able to respond promptly, keep one hand on the throttle
and the other on the steering wheel at all times. All occupants should
be in their seats and have a secure grip on the boat. As a boat rolls in
a tight turn, it always slides sideways. There is a risk in some boats
of the boat’s wake coming over the transom. To avoid this flooding
problem, reduce throttle to idle rpm. Make a 90-degree turn. Shift into
neutral.
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Docking
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To master this
important maneuver you need to be aware of how your powerboat steers and
reacts to changes in throttle and gearshift in different wind and
current conditions. Place fenders at dock level and prepare dock lines
before making the final approach. Be sure everyone knows what to do with
the dock lines. Come alongside the dock with the bow pointing into the
wind or current, whichever is stronger. Approach the dock slowly at a 25
to 45 degree angle and use intermittent power to maintain minimum
control speed. When the bow is 1/2 to one boat length from the dock,
make a smooth turn to bring the boat almost parallel to the dock by
turning the wheel and briefly shifting into forward. Then shift to
neutral. Turn the wheel toward the dock and briefly shift to reverse to
bring the stern in as the boat stops.
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Anchoring
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After checking an area, approach the
anchoring spot slowly, heading into the wind or current, whichever is
stronger. Stop the boat and lower the anchor over bow- do not throw it.
The end of the rode should be attached to the boat before releasing the
anchor. Let out the anchor line as the boat drifts downwind. If the wind
has too little effect, back the boat very slowly while letting the line
run out freely. Avoid backing too fast, which could cause the anchor to
bounce along the bottom. When a scope of 5:1 has been let out, wrap the
line around the bow cleat and reverse slowly against it until it becomes
taut.
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Backing
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When backing up into the wind or downwind,
use minimum control speed. When backing towards the wind the
combination of windage and pivot point will help you hold course. It may
be more difficult to maintain your course when backing downwind. If the
bow falls off too much you will loose steering control. Before this
happens, shift to forward gear and bring the boat back on course. Then
back up again with perhaps a slight steering correction to compensate
for the wind’s effect.
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Towing Alongside
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Towing another boat alongside is often used
when bringing a disabled boat into a dock. The towboat should be
positioned so that its propeller is far enough aft of the other boat’s
stern to turn the tow in either direction.
Fenders should be rigged between the boats to prevent damage. Tie the
boats together tightly using bow, stern and spring lines, so there is no
movement between them. If a line is slack, it will reduce the
maneuverability of the tow.
When coming alongside a dock, approach it at minimum control speed with
the other boat on the dockside.
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Rescuing a Capsized Sailboat
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Approach the sailboat perpendicular to the
mast on the forestay side to keep the powerboat away from the sailor on
the cockpit side of the boat, or from running over the submerged
mainsail. Make contact with the top of the mast; or with the forestay,
if the mast is submerged too much to grab. Once contact is made with the
sailboat, turn off the engine. Then lift the mast tip and move hand over
hand down the mast and shroud to bring the boat upright.
In this video, the sailor has positioned himself to be scooped into the
cockpit as the boat comes upright. Another method frequently used to get
the sailor back on the boat has the sailor standing on the centerboard.
As the boat comes upright, he swings his leg over the side of the boat,
like swinging a leg over a saddle, and slides into the cockpit. |
GIF animation not available
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Safety of the sailor comes first.
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Check for signs of injury, fatigue or hypothermia and that no one is
trapped under the sails.
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Always keep the propeller away from the persons in the water.
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