Re: Docking line

In article <445afaa8$0$146$edfadb0f@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, h47@xxxxxx
says...
Mike Hodgman wrote:

Had you given any thought to putting an eye splice on the end of your
back spring?

Yes, possibly the next time we buy new lines, we get them long enough to
afford this doubling. As they are now, they would almost make it in our
home port, but not quite.

When mooring, pass the line through the shoreside ring, bring the eye
splice back on board and place it on the bitt (no longer a true bollard)
then use the lighterman's hitch.

A couple of advantages here: firstly any sweating is done at about half
energy expense and secondly, if the backspring comes into use for the
unmooring operation you, on board, have control of the actual "let go"
by untying the lighterman's hitch, lifting off the eyesplice and
allowing it to run outboard, through the mooring ring on the wharf and
back on board using your "Scandinavian steam engine" in the form of
eager Scouts. Note also nobody is required to make the leap from wharf
to deck as all crew are on board.

The last point seems to be the most important. On the other hand, it is
better to practice this last-minute leap in the home port under controlled
circumstances, so as to be able to do it when some day it is needed anyway.

Hmm - perhaps it would be better to do this "under controlled
circumstances" a couple of days prior to ETD so that your departure
isn't delayed when some keen leaper splatters onto the after deck
breaking arm, leg or neck ;-)



Just to pick a nit: I would not let the eye splice run, but the straight
end, since that is the first one to come off the bitt, and since it has a
lesser risk of getting tangled up in something on shore. Any special reason
you recommend letting the eye splice run outboard?

Heikki, this isn't nit picking - quite a valid comment when the length
of line on board is so short as you indicate above. Perhaps I have been
spoiled with having plenty of spare line on the reel - large tide ranges
force this.

I have no "special reason" for recommending eyesplice outboard run apart
from the fact that all my mooring lines have an eyesplice at each end
and to date I have not had a problem with casting off the eye in over 50
years. I always ensure I don't have a fouled mooring shoreside,
particularly just prior to departure.

I have seen retractable canvas "sleeves" sewn or whipped to the splice
point and the sleeve long enough to cover the length of the eye. Makes
it nice and snug and reduces the chance of fouling - quick and easy to
set. I've also seen a couple of lengths of light line attached to one
side of the eye, long enough to take a couple of seizing turns to close
the eye before it runs out but that can take time to set.

Certainly, if it gives you concern then, instead of an eyesplice use
say, a bowline (which has to be untied) or round turn and two half
hitches on your onboard bitt. Has to be better than delaying departure
and/or washing blood out of the scuppers. Then, I have the disadvantage
of some crew members who are older and less agile than me.




Thanks for the suggestion!

Heikki


You are most welcome,

Mike.


.