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WORKING DECKS AND SWIMMING LADDER
(Figure 7)
Swimming ladder
Working decks
5.10.4 Anchoring, mooring and towing
Always moor your boat carefully even in sheltered docking, as weat-
her conditions may change rapidly. Mooring lines should be equip-
ped with snubbers for damping shocks. Mooring points are indicated
in figure 7. Do not use other parts of the boat for anchoring, mooring
or towing. Use sufficiently-sized fenders to prevent marring. They
loop in the stem is intended only for use with a trailer or at a slip-
way. It is not designed for perpendicular traction (such as mooring
the boat in a slip). Mooring point strengths are indicated in figure 7.
It is the owner’s or user’s responsibility to make sure that mooring,
towing and anchor lines and anchor chains are suitable for the boat
and that the tensile strength of chains does not exceed 80% of that
of the relevant mooring points. Line wear and loss of strength due
to knots must also be taken into account. When towing, make sure
that the front cleats have a different strength than those amidships
and aft. When anchoring in a natural harbour, make sure the depth is
sufficient and LOWER THE ANCHOR SUFFICIENTLY FAR FROM THE
SHORE. The anchor will have a reasonable hold when the length of
rope is 4–5 times the water’s depth at the anchor point. Having more
rope out will further improve traction. The anchor will also have sub-
stantially better traction, if the first 3–5 meters of the anchor line is
made of either chain or weighted rope.
CAUTION!
Do not try to stop the boat with your hands only nor place your
hand or foot between the boat and the slip, shore or other boat.
Practice mooring in good conditions using engine power sparingly
but resolutely.
When mooring your boat, consider wind shift, variations in water
level, wake wash and other similar factors. Additional information
is available from insurance companies and other similar sources.
When towing another boat or being towed, use small speeds and
a sufficiently strong, floating towing line. Start towing carefully,
avoiding sharp motions, do not overload the engine. Make sure the
towing line does not get tangled in the propeller. If the other boat has
a displacement hull, do not exceed its hull speed. If you are towing a
small dinghy, adjust the length of the towing line so that the dinghy
rides along the downhill slope of your wake. In straits and heavy
swell, pull the dinghy in closer to the transom, preventing it from
worming. Stow all equipment in the dinghy securely so that it will
not be lost if the dinghy capsizes. When on open sea in a reaso-
nable swell, cover the dinghy to prevent flooding due to spray. When
towing or being towed, fasten the tow line to the mooring points indi-
cated in figure 8. Fasten the towing line so that it can be unfaste-
ned under load.
The yield strength of ropes or chains should not exceed that of the
relevant mooring points.
Always fasten the towing line so that it can be unfastened under
load.
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