When the bow is alongside the dock, which step should you perform?

When the bow is alongside the dock, which step should you perform?

• A. Tie bow line to cleat and turn steering wheel away all the way over from the dock.
• B. Keep wheel straight and wait.
• C. Tie stern line to cleat while keeping bow near dock.
• D. Push the bow into the dock with wheel toward dock.

Answer: (A)

When the bow is alongside the dock, the first step is to control the bow and move the boat away from the dock. Securing the bow with a bow line to a cleat gives you a fixed point to hold the bow, preventing it from drifting into the dock from wind, current, or engine action. Turning the wheel away from the dock while the line is secured actuates the helm to swing the boat away from the dock, giving you space and reducing the risk of impact as you maneuver. This approach provides immediate, controlled movement and a stable setup to finish docking or repositioning safely. Other options don’t give you that control: they either leave the boat to drift, place improper tension on the lines, or push the bow into the dock, increasing the chance of collision.

When the bow is alongside the dock, the first step is to control the bow and move the boat away from the dock. Securing the bow with a bow line to a cleat gives you a fixed point to hold the bow, preventing it from drifting into the dock from wind, current, or engine action. Turning the wheel away from the dock while the line is secured actuates the helm to swing the boat away from the dock, giving you space and reducing the risk of impact as you maneuver.

This approach provides immediate, controlled movement and a stable setup to finish docking or repositioning safely. Other options don’t give you that control: they either leave the boat to drift, place improper tension on the lines, or push the bow into the dock, increasing the chance of collision.