How to Moor a Sailboat in the Mediterranean

Ask any sailor who's moored a sailboat in the Mediterranean about the tricky operation and you'll probably get a sigh in response. Crowded harbors, anchor-laden bottoms and "passionate" locals all make the task challenging. Add the Mediterranean tradition of going stern in and you have a recipe for a sailboating mess. So, follow these steps to properly moor your sailboat in the Mediterranean.

Instructions

1. Consult your pilot book. A good pilot book has the general information about the mooring in addition to any specific information about fouling obstacles, submerged rocks and the best approach to the marina or quay.

2. Scout out the spot. Before you just zoom into the harbor and moor the boat you should slowly motor in and check the place out. Look for an available space and for any hidden hazards. Also, make sure you look at the lay of the anchors of other boats since almost all will have their anchors set in order to stabilize the bow.

3. Ready the stern lines. Handling the Mediterranean mooring is about being prepared. Get your stern lines ready to go. If you have the crew for it, place one crew member at the stern waiting to jump off and one at the bow to release the anchor and make sure it falls and catches the bottom.

4. Line up and reverse. Line your stern up with the slip or quay. Position the boat from the quay or slip about 20 percent more than the length of anchor chain you want. Once your crew is ready tell the bowman to release the anchor. Simultaneously, start to reverse to the quay. If you're using a wheel to steer remember to steer in the direction you want the boat to go. Make small steering adjustments and don't overcompensate for errors.

5. Secure the stern. Once you're close enough to the dock, have a crew member jump off to secure the stern. Configure the lines into slip lines so that you can leave easily when you need to. Once the stern is secure, tighten up the anchor until the chain is going into the water at about a 45-degree angle. Stay on board for a while to make sure the anchor is properly set.