Safe Mooring
Mooring Your Boat Against The Pontoon
If you are mooring your boat directly against the pontoons, you will find that there are numerous cleats placed strategically to facilitate safe mooring. Due to the relatively sheltered nature of The Camber, it is generally not necessary to use any complex knots or mooring techniques. The picture opposite shows a typical safe mooring technique (and a nice way to tidy your lines).
This picture shows how some people think it is necessary to use every last bit of their lines to secure to the cleat. Although this will secure the boat, it leaves little room for anyone else to tie to the same cleat and makes releasing the boat an overly complicated affair.
Please don’t be a “Cleat Hogger” any unused lines can always be returned back to the boat, used as a “spring” line or coiled up as above.
The Use Of Spring Lines
Again, due to the shelter provided by the buildings around the camber, safe mooring can often be achieved without the use of a “spring” line. If you are mooring directly against the pontoons you will often find that there is a convenient cleat directly in line with your boats cleats. This will have the effect of stopping your boat moving backwards or forwards whilst moored.
However, if you can’t find a convenient cleat, you can use a “spring” to stop the boat moving in any given direction. The picture opposite shows how this boat has been “sprung so it will not move in either direction. This is important as should the boat be allowed to drift backwards in the wind / current its engine could contact the engine of the boat behind – potentially causing rubbing marks!
Mooring Against Another Boat
During busy times of the season, when the weather is good and there are many boats in the water, it is often necessary to moor your boat against another boat – a practice commonly known as “rafting”.
When choosing your mooring, try and moor against a boat that is at least the same length as yours. The picture opposite shows a 6.5m RIB rafted against a 7.5m RIB. When tying to the other boat always choose a strong tying point like a cleat, “A” frame or bow roller. Although many Ribs have rubber cleats attached to the tubes, we do not advise tying to these unless you are only staying for a short period. The boat shown is secured well enough to not need a spring line.
Outboard Engines & Outdrives
Boats left on the holding pontoons should be left with their outboard engines and outdrives in the lowered position. Please do not trim your outboard to the up position (as is normal on a wet berth) as this can cause damage to other boats and makes it harder to recover your boat from the water. Although not essential, it is good etiquette to leave your steering in the central position as again, this aids the safe recovery of your boat. Similarly, outdrives should be left in their normal running position.
Trim Tabs
If your boat is fitted with trim tabs, please ensure that they are fully retracted when leaving your boat on the recovery pontoons. Failure to do so may result in damage to the plates or actuators during the recovery process. Although we try our best to check, it is your responsibility to ensure they are not left down. Your cooperation is appreciated.
