Fuel on the Docks

If you have fuel tanks or jerry cans on the docks, please remove them. The rainy season is upon us and any fuel from the outsides that could drip will go straight into the water. This goes for any other things you may have in an open or closed container that could spill out.

Boating with Kids

Recreational family boating is a great way to spend time with your children. There are many tasks that can be assigned to youngsters to teach responsibility and being out in nature provides endless lessons for the young boater.

Nonetheless, if youngsters are going to be joining you, there are a few features to at least consider when purchasing family boats.

▪ Buy a good lifejacket or life vest with a collar that turns a child face up in the water. It must have a strong waist and crotch straps, a handle on the collar, and preferably be a bright yellow or orange color for good visibility.

▪ Attach a plastic safety whistle to the lifejacket and teach the child how to use the whistle, and practice using it.

▪ Always teach and practice caution while on the boat and in the marina. Set good examples and guidelines. Make the experience memorable for your future sailor.

Tips For On Board Guests

Whenever you invite friends and family to come boating for the day, a weekend, or an extended cruise, you should explain to them in advance what is expected of them, especially if they are not
experienced boaters.

▪ Make sure each guest has a good pair of non-skid deck shoes.

▪ Make sure your guests know that your times of departure are based on tide, current, weather conditions, and time to make the next destination. You should explain that they should be onboard,
have gear stowed and be ready to leave well before the departure time you have set.

▪Familiarize friends and family with boating safety tips and emergency procedures before leaving the dock. Explain fueling procedures, docking and docking plans, etc.

▪ Make sure someone onboard is able to take over for you and operate the VHF radio to ask for help should you become disabled.

Dock Etiquette

Boarding steps are an easy way to get on and off your vessel and many boaters use them rather than boarding ladders for ease of getting on and off their vessel. Basic dock etiquette on this issue is to:

Make sure that your steps are no bigger than ½ the width of the finger dock. They should be on the same side as your dock box. If you have a split dock box, it should not be on the same side as your boating neighbor has his/ hers. And lastly, they should not create a trip hazard or an obstacle course for someone who steps off a boat while docking.

There is nothing worse than having a wonderful day out sailing and ending your trip on a bad note because of an accident. If you have specific needs that require your steps on one side versus the other and it conflicts with your neighbor, mention it to them next time you see them. Solutions are usually very easy when approached in a friendly manner.

Dock Etiquette – Noise

Secure your halyards! In addition to being bad manners, the continuous slapping of lines and hardware against the mast eventually damages the aluminum finish, whether it’s coated or anodized.
If the clanging is from the halyards, the snap shackles should be unclipped from the sails and secured away from the spars while the boat is at the dock. Bungee cords also work well.

Plastic tarps are not harbor awnings or an “alternative” to fixing leaks, not to mention how tarps look. Covers should be made of canvas, either natural or synthetic. Both fabrics, when properly tensioned, are nearly silent in anything less than gale conditions.

Keep Your Keys to Yourself

We would like to ask that our berthers not loan gate keys out to people working on their boats. This is for your safety and the safety of your fellow berthers.

The Harbor Office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. Boat workers should obtain dock keys directly from the office.

Misused keys are subject to deactivation without notice.