BOATING TIPS -- JULY 1995
Analysis of an Accident

Just because you write a boating column doesn't mean you're infallible!

I met my comeuppance on Opening day, in a scene that was reportedly captured on video for all to see later . . . after I was safely out of the harbor on my way to a weekend overnight destination. Here's the story:

This year was my last as one of the "up front" boats at the ceremonies, and I was tucked into the corner of the main float and the visitors' dock, with my boat's stern against the float and its port side against the dock. To starboard, aft, was Commodore Dick Montag's beautiful "The Egg and I".

My plan, in order to get promptly out of the tight spot, was to have a starboard stern line secured aft to the float, so that upon engaging the port engine "forward", the bow would swing out, and I could then exit quietly and gracefully.

So much for plans! As skipper, I made several bad decisions that ruined my scheme. As I engaged the engine, the stern swung slightly to starboard, bumped Dick's boat, and resulted in a "bang" and a "scrape", but fortunately, no damage after all. But I would have been sick if I had hurt that beautiful flagship; banging up my own wouldn't have been so great, either!

My mistakes were dumb ones, but typical of most errors that cause boating accidents. Let me be specific:

1. I had not clearly explained to my crew what I had planned. My loyal and competent, and experienced mate usually handles the key line assignments with perfection, but in this case, I had asked an experienced guest crew member to handle the stern line. He was not clear on my goals or plans, nor was she informed of what he was doing. There was a lot of confusion back there; it was my fault.
2. I had not done sufficient planning, for I failed to take into account the "what ifs" of the intended action. What if the boat stern swings to starboard a little? Shouldn't the dock end of the starboard stern line have been secured more towards the mid-line of the vessel to hold the boat to port? Shouldn't there have been at least one fender protecting Dick's boat?
3. I overestimated my boat handling skills. Just because this procedure had worked for me dozens of times before was no reason to think that such tight maneuvering would work again!

Well, I guess we all need a reminder of our fallibility now and again to get us back into the disciplines of careful and successful boat handling. I'm now trying to reassess my plans before implementation every time I operate a boat.

I thought you might learn from my error; I just wish it wasn't on video tape!

Have a great, safe summer!

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