Check your Anchor

We've had a few sailors report trouble with their moorings lines and or dragging their anchors.  This can be very stressful, not to mention dangerous to your boat and other peoples.  Here are some tips to help:

• Before committing to a mooring, check it is suitable:
• Is it deep enough.
• Can you easily pick up the buoy.
• Is it too closely situated to other buoys.
• Is it sheltered.
• Can you get to it easily on a rib.
• Will it be suitable for all round berthing.
• Is it solely yours or shared.

It is not a good idea to raft up and leave boats unattended, They move about with the wash from passing vessels, tidal changes and wind. This can cause rope slippage, anchor dragging and potential damage to both vessels.  Sharing a mooring over night with friends is acceptable as you are present and able to check things.

Check the depth at the lowest astronomical tide to make sure you will still float.  The draft of your vessel needs to taken into account when mooring up.

If there is a catamaran nearby they move very differently on moorings and may not swing into the wind.  Check they are far enough away that they will not entangle with you.

Tidal flow could effect how you board the boat and pick up buoys.

Be safety and surroundings aware.

#boat#berth#safety#jet#washing#dry#dock#paintmyboat#maintenance#turks#goodbudget#washoff#hull#chatham#medway#swale#faversham#kent#anodes#survey#swing#mooring#