Pile Berths

Book Extract

• Have bow and stern lines rigged on port and starboard sides and boathook at the ready.
• Approach stern first slowly and lasso the windward pile first, then the leeward pile.
• Continue motoring astern to allow a crew member to jump ashore.
• Tie up the windward stern line first, followed by the leeward stern line.
• Cross over the stern lines to act as springs and tension so that the transom is clear of the pontoon or wall.

Approaching a pile/pontoon berth.

Secured to a pile/pontoon berth. 

To leave:

• Set up lines so that they can be pulled through and released from onboard.
• Check which way wind and tide are running and plan your departure accordingly.
• Release the leeward lines first.
• Release the windward stern line and engage forward gear (or astern, if you have entered the berth bow first).
• ‘Walk’ the boat forward past the windward pile and release the bow line.
• Keep roving fenders at the ready to protect other vessels in the event of drifting down on them.

Leaving a pile mooring with a headwind.

Leaving a pile mooring with wind abeam.

 

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Motor Boating Start To Finish is written by Barry Pickthall. Barry Pickthall is a respected sports writer and photographer and has been covering all aspects of sailing and boating for the past 35 years, 20 of them as a yachting correspondent to The Times newspaper. He has been covering the international stage for the past 4 decades from the Olympics to America's Cup and Round the World Races. Barry is also a qualified sailing instructor – having graduated from one of the first courses held at the UKSA.