Bow, Aft, and Spring Lines?

Hi,

The lines still play an important part in manoeuvres

The use of them in the traditional fashion has definitely been reduced somewhat owing to the prevalence of Bow and Stern Thrusters but they are still in my opinion needed as you don't know your thrusters are going to be functioning 100% of the time to full capacity and many are not sufficiently sized to cope in all weather conditions.

The lines are of course still needed to attach yourself to the dock.

As K1W1 is saying, thrusters are not able to handle all situations. Strong side winds, streams and tide can be tricky, but with the use of lines you can use these forces to your favour. Stern thrusters are normally not needed when you have twin engines with left and right turning props.

Wannabee,
I worked on an 85-foot dinner/charter boat and we used spring lines to get off the dock all the time, since we had no thrusters. Also, the captain did not have any sight of what was going on below on deck, so by radio we would call out distances but also confirm when lines were on so he could spring off as needed and shut down the vessel when bow/aft lines were secured. Like the others said, you need to be prepared in case thrusters don't work or mother nature makes the situation more difficult.
Capt Tom

Any outside forces will affect a large boat. It is really more a function of the design of the topsides and superstructure vs. the design of the hull below the water.
I'll admit that I don't often use spring lines for maneuvering purposes anymore, but it is still nice to know that they are there when I need them.

Wannabee,
A pontoon boat? Maybe you should be on the inland lakes boating forum instead. LoL
Like Ken said, any outside force can influence the movement of a vessel. On that boat I mentioned, we docked at Pier 66, where the current could be ripping around and under the docks. So we were influenced more by current than by light winds. It's funny that on calm nights it would seem like we were having difficulties, but it was due to the water's flow.
Capt Tom

I just lost my bow thruster and power steering on a recent trip and sprung off for the first time in my career. I was thankful that I was on a floating dock as I have hollow rub rails.

Spring lines are named for where they head too. A forward spring leads forward from vessel to the cleat/piling.

CaptTom I always worry pulling into the inner docks at pier 66 on a flood tide. I have heard of a number of boats running aground there.

nas

Nas
I was reading your experience and trying to figure how you lost both pieces of equipment at the same time. Did you loose your generators as you were pulling in? Or as you said "sprung off" were you departing? Just wondering so I might be able to prevent that thrill ride happening one day down the road.

Wannabee,
Just a little light-hearted humor, no harm or hard feelings intended. Don't know of any inland lakes forums. But defenitely stay with this forum. It's a great place with some very qualified and experienced folks who can answer most questions and have an incredible passion for yachts and the yachting business. As for Octopus, I don't think a yacht tht size is using spring lines, since it probably has several bow and stern thrusters.
Nas, there is a bar just outside of the inner cut and I've seen yachts hit it at low tide (one even got stuck on it, what a sight). I think one place that is worse is Sailfish Marina, with the current running in and out of the inlet right there. Caught me one time, but lucky enough to get the boat turned just in time for the current to push me in the slip. I sweat it a little, the owner thought it was a perfect docking and was impressed (whew!).
Capt Tom

Hi,

A vessel the size and outfit of Octpus might not use Spring lines to get on and off the dock normally but they are certainly able to use them if required and would also use them when docked.

111ft

I use a spring line on the dock here in Ft Lauderdale.
Reason being.

I am running short crew and we have a spring line set to a certain length to hold us in the correct position on the dock. This means the one member of crew can put all four fenders out in the marked positions knowing they will line up with the piles. After that all she needs to worry about is getting the bow and stern lines and then the forward spring in position and we're sorted.
Poetry in motion. lol

Chris

Call yerselves seafarers do you?! Phuffffffffff...

Nobody's mentionned the most important lines of all: breast lines.

Some say, "the bigger they are, the better", but my own preference is to stay clear of synthetic ones...

(hat, coat, door...)

C4ENG,

I was in heavy weather and the windshield leaked onto the circuit boards for my lower dash. This dash has the switches for the power steering which shorted out. Getting the boards from Italy was a real treat!!!

On the return trip, I was pulling into a fuel dock and lost the bow thruster. The thruster is electric (battery banks) and has had a number of problems. The transmission blew, essentially striping the worm gear. The manufacturer of the thruster said that the unit had been replaced before, but wouldn't cover it under warranty. Derecktors in Mamaroneck, New York had me sorted out in a few days. I would use them again in a heart beat.

nas