Worst Med Mooring Ever - Just when you think you've seen everything!!

[Gwen L]

This is my local harbour and we have one of these about every 10 days. Charter sailors, inexperienced in med mooring with a, "I must be on the quay" mentality. They try to moor in the afternoon cross wind rather than anchor and wait for it to drop or in this case moor on the other quay, on the sheltered side.

[Tom and Maje]

I saw this somewhere. I can't believe he kept trying to dock!

Maje

[friz]

Originally Posted by BugzyCan

The pilot abandoned the wheel at one point, watch it spinning free. lol.
I agree, it would be interesting to see what happens after.
Here is one done correctly.

No fair. Flat water, no wind and a helmsman.

[Fundy Sailor]

On a charter from Rhodes a couple years ago, had the pleasure(?) of watching the boat ahead of us trying to dock. After the third or forth attempt, he must have decided he didn't have enough speed for his rudder to be effective, so came in much faster than before. Hit the quay really hard, bounced off and into the boat beside him, then came powering back out uncomfortably close to us and nearly fouling the bow lines of another boat. Now, I haven't had a lot of practice with this stern-to mooring either, but after that said, "I've gotta be better than that!". So, pressure off, we made a flawless mooring! No wind and no current, but they have fixed bow lines so you have to get in close to the quay before you can pick them up, adding an element of difficulty.

[Haddock1]

You've got to feel for the guy. He is clearly in a panic. You can see the winds gusting and he got himself in a mess and tried to motor out of it but just made it worse.

My instructor said just keep it calm and slow and when things go wrong, and they do as I am sure we have all experienced at some point, you are unlikely to do any damage at 2 knots even if you end up pivoted on your neighbours boat. Plenty of people around to help which I hope they would and not just yell expletives.

Had this happen in Mallorca last year when a skipper got pinned on my bow and the next doors boat. His wife was distraught his kid crying. I just calmed them down and said no damage done and helped him free his boat. I was reward with a bottle of wine later and warm thanks.

Maybe if someone had taken this approach rather than yelling at him much damage could have been avoided.

However, he is clearly inexperienced and if it's a med charter you have to have the minimum of an ICC. Did the charter company check his license? Assuming he had a license you have to ask whoever passed him? Boat manoeuvring is part of the practical test.

There maybe other reasons as mentioned earlier, perhaps the real skipper was incapacitated.

Just saying.

[cuthbert]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Yes.


He or she was clearly under-powered. You can see it from the wash behind the boat.


I also think there was only one bow thruster on this particular boat. A cheap charter boat, clearly. Most discerning owners these days opt for six thrusters and at least 10 hp per ton of displacement.


Driving a sailing boat is such an amazing experience that makes me feel so close to nature!



b.

That is funny!

[rgranger]

Worst?

I don't know if that is correct. There were at least two or three boats he didn't run into ....

[carstendenmark]

Is that video listed on Youtube ?
I do not participate in Facebook, and will never

[Cpt Mark]

Originally Posted by BugzyCan

The pilot abandoned the wheel at one point, watch it spinning free. lol.
I agree, it would be interesting to see what happens after.
Here is one done correctly.

This guy had a much easier job to handle. That said, he also knew what he was doing.

[Nick Boxer]

Unfortunately, not an uncommon event. It amazes me how some charter companies allow virtual novices out to terrorise other sailors and endanger themselves and others. We sail 4-5 months in the Med (Greece) and witness plenty of situations and at times, I admit to getting myself into awkward situations but hopefully, and touch wood, or at least GRP, so far we've been able to avoid this level of problem.
Still, nothing beats getting in early and watching the antics of others and of course, lending a hand when needed!

[parkstone bay]

Watch, and learn. Yes there's quite a lot of breeze - looks like it's pretty well on shore. Plan A is to ensure there's a Plan B, of course. But, in powerboating, slow speed is good, neutral is a good gear, but Rule 1 is, when things go t*ts-up, (and they will), bail out!. In fact bail out early. No-one will ever take the piss, and no insurance company has ever complained, because you took 2 goes, (or 4, or 5, or 10, or 20) to get safely into a difficult berth.
(I agree with Chotu who said, when in doubt, do nothing. And as for the guys trying to fend off 10 tons of boat by hand - we should be thankful there weren't damaged people as well as boats).

[belizesailor]

OMG....that was painful to watch...

[Boat Guy]

Well, I for one have been at the helm in dicey situations. Further, the audience is rarely any help if you don't use them to your advantage.


Personally, I've been in situations where the current and winds made for a risky outcome. In my case I was able to throw lines to people on the dock or another vessel to be guided back, etc...In no way is ramming speed a good thing. Sometimes coming off the engines and helm and using lines is best...Not saying it would have worked here, but it clearly looked like he would have had help on the dock and boats if he used it.


Here's the vessel, if you are so inclined to charter her or see it listed for sale...

https://www.yachtbooker.com/countrie...ssey-519-36336

[Auspicious]

People can make mistakes and get in extremis. It may be conditions or lack of skill or both. When you're in bad shape, as others have noted, bail out, lick your wounds, and consider your options. Anchor out, go somewhere else, try again.

This button head (I just made that up) should have gotten the hint when he destroyed the bimini frame. Instead he went after the passerelle for style points. *sigh*

[Oohla]

But he had a bow thruster! Doesn’t that guarantee success?

(Quietly waiting for indignant responses with my martini at hand.)