Tips for Estimation, Entry, and Navigating in an Unfamiliar Marina.
In Israel, most of us are accustomed to sailing in and out of the same familiar anchorage, usually under relatively comfortable weather conditions. However, when sailing abroad, we frequently find ourselves entering marinas, harbors, and bays that we have never been to before. Sometimes, we encounter challenging weather conditions, and on occasion, we have no choice but to enter a marina in extremely harsh weather. Given the variable weather conditions in Greece, we can easily find ourselves on a typical day, arriving at an unfamiliar, bustling marina with a surprising influx of sailing vessels moving at a speed of 30 knots after noon. Even malfunctions can occur at any time, in any weather conditions, especially when we are entering the marina, particularly on rented yachts.
We believe that the more prepared you arrive at the stage of accessing the location, both as a crew and as skippers, equipped with as much early knowledge about the marina, navigation hazards, possible mooring locations, and mooring technique, the smoother, easier, and, most importantly, safer your approach will be. In both easy and especially challenging conditions, proper preparations, planning ahead, and executing the correct approach, as we will elaborate shortly, can make all the difference between a smooth and successful sailing experience without any dramas, versus a stressful, chaotic ordeal with lots of shouting, mess, and pressure on the rigging in the best-case scenario, or even causing damage to the sailing equipment and potential injuries in the worst-case scenario.
So, how do we suggest getting prepared?
Firstly, make sure to sail with a boat that you are accustomed to and capable of controlling, even in strong winds, during engine malfunctions. It is advisable to have at least one experienced crew member on board. But these are recommendations for another article (Choosing the Right Yacht for Your Vacation)
Preparation, Preparation, Preparation – and More Preparation!
Prepare and study in advance the skipper’s guide to the destination:
Before arriving at an unfamiliar marina, it is highly recommended to gather as much information as possible about the location. The goal is to know in advance what to expect. Which docks are suitable for yachts? What are the depths indicated on the maps? Where are the navigation hazards located? What is the method of communication? Should contact be made before entering? Can assistance be expected upon entry, and similar inquiries. As you gain more knowledge beforehand and feel like you know the place, the entry, organization, and access will become much smoother and less stressful. Dealing with challenges and unexpected situations will then be simpler and more tranquil.
Previewing photos and videos of the location is an excellent way to familiarize yourself in advance. You can easily find fantastic tools like SEA TV and NAVILY – highly recommended before entering any marina.
So, what are the possible sources of information?
PILOT BOOK
The most recommended approach is to spend an evening beforehand, gathering all the materials and learning as much as possible about the marina you are about to enter. Sometimes, we change plans, and there’s no choice but to do it while sailing. Even then, it’s worth taking the time to thoroughly and calmly go over things before arriving at the marina.
Preparing the boat before entering the marina:
Calm preparation in advance will allow you and the crew to handle what is required with maximum concentration during the approach.
Treating the dinghy If you are sailing with a dinghy on tow and it’s not a Mediterranean mooring, it is highly recommended to lift and secure the dinghy before entering the marina. Performing anchorages and accessing with a dinghy on tow can be quite inconvenient and significantly limits maneuverability during anchoring. On the other hand, if you’re planning a Mediterranean sea anchorage, make sure to prepare the dinghy for smooth water entry…
Turn off the musicso your crew can easily hear your commands.
Preparing the Riggings Prepare all the necessary riggings, and ensure they are securely tied and ready for hoisting, without any knots on the railings, etc. Do not wait until the last moment to start tying ropes, only to discover that you’ve reached a quay, but there is either a missing link or it’s tied incorrectly. Simply prepare everything in advance before entering the marina, according to your planned sailing itinerary.
Preparing the anchor- ensuring it’s properly set and ready for a smooth release.
Contacting the marina when in need.
Preparing the Crew:
Conducting a well-structured briefing for the crew:
- Sometimes, before entering the marina, especially on the first sailing days, the crew needs a little boost. Entering the marina can be a safety checkpoint and is more challenging than regular navigation throughout the day. Everyone should be focused now, listen to commands, avoid disturbances, etc.
- Explanation of the expected type of anchoring for us.
- Appointing a crew member for each role. Ensuring they know how to perform their tasks and that everything is ready for them in terms of lines, knots, etc.
A thorough briefing and preparation for the crew will prevent confusion on deck during the critical approach phase.
At the marina:
If this is an organized marina and you’ve contacted them, you’ll have an easy time and the marina will guide you to your available anchorage spot. If not, you’ll need to make an initial round to find a spot at the marina. In many marinas, even if you haven’t prearranged with the marina, the harbor master might come to guide you on where to dock. Of course, it’s important to heed their instructions.
In case of any challenging conditions, such as wind, vessel traffic, etc. It’s crucial not to rush and avoid making hasty decisions. Stand with your stern to the wind for a moment. Pause, assess the situation, make thoughtful decisions, and navigate calmly, correctly, and securely.
If you’re looking to navigate through waters with significant depth, it’s crucial to conduct a physical depth assessment! The depths on the charts are not accurate, especially near the docks where your rudder page will be located. Hence, when uncertain, approach bow-first and verify the depth using the depth gauge. If you’re uncertain about the depth, keep the bow near the dock and avoid risking your rudder page. Remember to consider both tides and flows…
Making the approach:
50% of a good approach is proper preparation. Approach the situation when each crew member is ready for their role, all ropes and the anchor are prepared if needed, and there’s smooth and effective communication among the crew. All these will ensure a seamless implementation, minimizing mess and stress on the deck. The rest is up to you 🙂
After the mooring, ensure that all the lines are properly tied as required. Do not leave the responsibility on the crew, as they may not always be meticulous.
In the event of Mediterranean anchoring (which will be covered in a separate article), it is crucial that after securing the anchor with the stern lines,you extend the anchor to its full length and ensure it is firmly held! No compromising. You don’t want to find yourselves with a dragging anchor in the middle of the night because the wind has picked up… If the anchor is not securely held and the chain is not stretched, there is no choice but to exit and reperform the approach…
If there’s a connection of shore power and water, don’t leave it for later. Now is the time to connect and ensure that everything is working, and not to discover it in the evening when there’s a chance that there’s no longer anyone to help you with the issue… 🙂
Now you can relax and crack open a cold beer…
