Inha Works Ltd. 2009
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5.10.4 Anchoring, mooring and towing
Always anchor your boat carefully even in sheltered spots, as conditions can change
suddenly. The mooring line should be equipped with a spring-loaded device to
cushion the effect of jerking. See the attaching points in Diagram 8. Do not use other
parts of the boat for mooring, towing, or anchoring. Use sufficiently large fenders to
avoid chaffing and friction.
The eyelet on the prow is meant for docking on a slipway or mounting on a trailer, not
for pulling the boat sideways when mooring to a jetty. The boat also has a thief-proof,
hardened-steel eyelet attached to the foredeck, which is intended for a locking chain
only and should not be used for any purpose other than locking the boat.
The strength of the attaching points is also shown in Diagram 8. It is the responsibility
of the owner/user to ensure that mooring, towing and anchor ropes, anchor chains
and anchors are appropriate for use on the boat and that the breaking strength of the
ropes and chains does not exceed 80% of the strength of the corresponding
attaching point. However, rope wear and knots that weaken the strength of ropes
should also be kept in mind.
When anchoring in a natural harbour, ensure that the depth of the water is sufficient
and that you drop the anchor at a sufficient distance from the shore. A reasonable
grip can be achieved when the rope is 4–5 times the water depth. The grip also gets
better the more the rope is extended. Grip improves significantly if the first 3–5
metres of the anchor rope is weighted rope or chain.
WARNING!
Do not try to stop the boat’s motion by using your hand or
placing your hand or foot between the boat and the jetty, the
shore, or another boat. Practise mooring and anchoring in
good conditions and use engine power with restraint but
resolutely.
ATTENTION!
When mooring your boat, always bear in mind wind change,
tidal effects, backwash from other boats, etc. Further
information can be had, for example, from your insurance
company.
When towing another boat, use a sufficiently strong, floating tow rope. Initiate the
towing procedure carefully, avoid jerks, and do not overload the engine. Take care to
keep the towing rope from entangling in the propeller. If you are towing a small
dinghy, adjust the length of the tow rope so that the dinghy rides the wake of your
boat favourably. However, in narrow channels and in a heavy swell tow the dinghy
close to the transom so as to minimise the twisting motion. Securely batten down the
equipment in the dinghy in case it capsizes. In a swell in open water, cover the
dinghy to avoid it filling with splash water.
If you tow another boat, or your boat needs to be towed, attach the tow rope as per
the attaching points shown in Diagram 8.
WARNING!
A tow rope is subject to high tension. If it snaps, the recoiling
speed at the breaking point can be highly dangerous. Always
use a sufficiently thick rope and stay well clear of it.
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