12. Picking up a mooring buoy
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Ensure the dinghy painter is tied off short on the bow or amidships and is clear of the prop.
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Approach the mooring buoy, keeping the bow into the wind or current, whichever prevails.
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Have a crew member on the bow to pick up the mooring pennant with the boat hook.
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The bowman will direct the helmsman to the mooring, using the already established non
verbal communication system. Once at the mooring, inspect the buoy and pennant for any
signs of wear and tear; if you are unsure about a mooring buoy’s integrity, choose another
location to moor up.
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The bowman should ready a line to a bow cleat to slip through the eye of the mooring
pennant. This line is then shortened and brought back to the same cleat.
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Once set your mooring buoy will be attached either on the port or starboard cleat and the
yacht will be head to wind. Remember to centralize the wheel and lock in place to avoid the
yacht sailing around the buoy.
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Next attach a second back up line directly to the mooring ball. There will be a metal ring at
the top of the ball or a shackle just under the ball. Attach a line from the opposite bow cleat
and if possible run the line through the ring or shackle and back to the cleat. It is always
easier to do this from the dinghy. Do not try to make the lines of equal length, the first line
should be taking all the weight of the boat.
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To depart, release the back up line first. Slowly motor the boat forward to create slack,
release the line from the cleat and allow the pennant to slip from the line into the water. Fall
back with the wind or current, and be careful not to foul your prop on the pennant.
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Remember to tie your dinghy away from the stern whenever you are maneuvering
in close quarters.
