5.4 MOORING AND UNMOORING

CAUTION

Before the unmooring operation, ensure that engines, gear boxes, rudders and bow/stern thrusters are in good working order. During such manoeuvres, the Captain should prevent any unpleasant noise, and/or wake that might bother other people. Before starting this manoeuvre, make sure that doors, hatches, swim ladder, etc. are closed.

WARNING

Before starting the manoeuvre, make sure that persons on board, do not interfere with the operations and that they stay in safe places, where they cannot get hurt.

The yacht is equipped with very powerful engines, with high-performance rudders and with very efficient thrusters.
Those latter have to be used at very low speed, or without fresh way; at higher speeds, it is possible to obtain a more correct reaction by using the engine throttles in an off-set way.
The ability to exploit such qualities depends on the “familiarity” the Captain has with his yacht.
Practice is the only way to acquire confidence, and finally you will be able to safely perform mooring and unmooring manoeuvres even in very difficult or crowded areas.
A basic rule, that should always be applied, is to manoeuvre at low speed, so as to have enough time to react and to better evaluate the situation; in this way, in case of accidental contact with other boats, you will not cause any serious damage.
Before unmooring check the following:

• That there are no other yachts manoeuvring nearby;
• That the mooring ropes are not damaged;
• That the fenders are positioned and well fastened (in case of wind or surf prepare a passenger with fender to avoid damages);
• That there are no floating objects or loosen ropes which can damage the propellers.

If the yacht is moored with the stern to the shore:

• Undo the stern lines, haul in the chain, until distant from the shore, and head to the exit.

If the mooring is on the side:

• Ease away the mooring rope from stern, warp on bow rope to move away the stern from the shore, manoeuvre for way out.

In case of need and/or when in confined waters, manoeuvre the yacht by using the engines (changing the rpm and reversing the engine direction of rotation).
It is a good rule never to leave the steering wheel unattended, particularly when cruising at high speed or in confined waters.
Do not exceed the speed limits when operating in confined waters, harbours and wherever required.
Keep in mind that the rudders effect is proportional to the bow/stern thrusters rpm and to the fresh way of the yacht, especially with headway, as a result, with an high rpm and an high speed the rudder efficiency is high; on the contrary, when the engines are idling and low fresh way the reaction of the tiller angle is almost negligible.

CAUTION

Do not use the stern platform cleats as permanent mooring points of the yacht.
They should only be used for tender or jet-ski mooring.
The stern cleats must never be used for the tender or chase boat hauling.