How to Leave a Marina in a Sailboat Safely

You've checked out your boat and your passengers are ready. Now all you have to do is figure out how to leave the marina without crashing into a dock, or worse, another boat. The key is learning how your boat responds to the wind and current. Combine that knowledge with general boat safety, and you will be able to leave any marina in your sailboat safely.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Distribute life jackets to each crew member and passenger and insist that they wear them. As the skipper, you are responsible for their safety and accidents can happen on the boat that will cause someone to go overboard.
2. Take a few minutes and visualize the route out of the marina. Picture in your mind what your boat will need to do in order to clear the docks. Make sure that the decks are clear and that the sheets, halyards and lines are in place, so that no one trips while moving around the boat during cast off.
3. Communicate with your crew. Lay out your game plan and make sure each person knows their responsibilities. Designate who removes each dock line and in what order you want them removed.
4. Back straight out and don't start turning the boat until you have cleared the slip.
5. Move slowly and continuously look around the boat for potential problems. Keep an eye out for other boats leaving their slips, people or debris in the water and anything protruding from a dock.
6. Pull up the fenders only after you have cleared the docks and are safely in the middle of the fairway exiting the marina. Store fenders in a lazarette or in the cabin, out of the crew's way.
7. Instruct the crew on boat safety. The crew needs to be aware of where the boom is and to always stay below it. The boom can swing around at any time and knock a sailor off the boat.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to ask for help. An extra set of hands go a long way in helping you safely clear the docks.
• Go as slow;y as possible in the marina. You want to be able to stop your boat quickly in case of an emergency. Never demand the right of way.
• These instructions are for sailboats with inboard or outboard motors. Keep in mind that sailboats without motors, depending solely on the wind for movement, always have the right-of-way in the marina and in open water, with a few exceptions.
• Make sure to have a properly fitting life jacket for every person on your boat.
• Know and understand right-of-way rules and buoy markers before leaving the marina.