River cruise boat docks without stern standoff.

[dubhouse]

I was recently on a river cruise on the Nile with Viking. I noticed several times when the boat was docked without its stern standoff (a big log). The standoff seemingly is used to keep the stern from coming any closer to the side of the river. So the bow is kept very close to the stair stepped side of the river and actually rests on it below the surface. The bow is always tied up with 3 lines ( two spring type lines and a normal bow line ) and the stern has a single line going to the shore. The boat is always pointed upstream. I can't figure out how the stern of the ship is kept from swinging closer to the river edge in this configuration when the standoff if not in place. Could this be some sort of reverse bank effect that keep tension on the stern line or something? Attached is a photo of the log standoff being deployed although my question is about when it is not deployed. The gangway can't be it because it rests on a roller.

[Benz]

They probably put the rudder over so the river flow pulls the stern out.

[dubhouse]

Originally Posted by Benz

They probably put the rudder over so the river flow pulls the stern out.

Oh man. Duh. I guess I should have thought of that. Thanks.

[dubhouse]

Although.... This boat supposedly has azipod propulsion. Could this be configured has rudders when powered down?