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Berthing under engine
Almost every harbour bump happens in the last twenty metres. And almost always because the manoeuvre began before it was clear what wind and stream intended to do with the boat.
Look first, then go
A lap around the basin costs two minutes. Where is the wind from, how does the stream set, how do the neighbours lie, where are the lines and lazy lines. Knowing that beforehand means less throttle afterwards.
Prop walk
Going astern, the stern of most boats pulls to one side, to port with a right handed propeller. That is not a nuisance but a tool: berth so that prop walk pulls the stern towards the pontoon, not away from it.
Springing on
With the wind off the pontoon an aft spring helps: ashore first, then a touch of ahead against the line. The boat swings itself alongside and stays there without anyone having to pull.
The abort
Decide beforehand what tells you it is not working and where you go instead. An aborted manoeuvre costs nothing. One pushed through that goes wrong costs gelcoat, guardrail or the neighbour.
What this has to do with insurance
Berthing brings two claims together: the one on your own boat, carried by hull cover, and the one on somebody else's, carried by liability. So after a contact it is worth looking beyond your own boat and recording the matter straight away: photographs, witnesses, the name and berth of the other boat.
