Docking Is A Contact Sport!
by Mark Fry
Fall 2000

If you take the time to ask almost any Captain in the yachting industry where he learned to drive a boat, the answer is nearly always the same, "I taught myself by trial and error or my previous Captain taught me!" All too often in life we find ourselves learning from our parents, friends and mentors who are not always the best Instructors. I remember a friend of mine teaching me to snow ski. When I finally took lessons from a professional ski instructor he was horrified at the bad habits I had developed.

During my twenty-one year career at sea, I have asked the same questions many times while watching boats of various shapes and sizes enter and depart from harbors around the world. Who taught him/her to drive a boat? Where did he/she learn to do that? While I have been suitably impressed on most occasions, there is always the one individual who's docking procedure is just not up to scratch. I am sure we have all seen the weekend cruiser slamming into fuel docks or indeed other boats while trying to maneuver into a tight slip with the wind or current pushing them sideways. Where does someone go to learn how to drive a boat? There are numerous sailing schools throughout the U.S. who are only too happy to teach you to drive a sailing vessel, but trying to find someone to teach you to drive a twin-screw motoryacht - well that's another story! If you try to charter a power boat so you can practice docking procedures, the answer is most likely to be - Not On Your Life Pal! Charter companies do not wish to have their boats damaged by inexperienced captains.

Many of the mega yacht crews that I have spoken to, have told me that they never get a chance to dock the boat until the captain left and they were promoted. With all due respect, you cannot blame them. Try telling your insurance company or your owner that his fifteen million dollar yacht was damaged because the 1st mate was "practicing" docking! It is a very difficult "catch 22" situation. You can't get practice unless you are a captain and you can't become a captain unless you have practiced.

At International Yachtmaster Training, we are addressing these issues. At present we are having a Newton 46' custom built for hands-on training for anyone who wishes to so. As part of the U.S. Yachtmaster Training Program, there is a five day live-aboard course which covers all boat handling issues with a qualified Yachtmaster Instructor. These courses are not restricted to Yachtmaster applicants. Anyone may apply for hands-on training. We are currently using a 36' twin-screw while awaiting delivery of our new 46'. We will be conducting evening, weekend and live-aboard courses all of which will be certified from Yachtmaster Training.

Plans are currently underway for a hands-on MegaYacht live-aboard course. This will enable qualified applicants who wish to advance their yachting career to gain the boat handling experience on mega yachts that they need. While simulators are a wonderful idea for advance training, there really is no substitute for the "real thing". Everyone from novices to boat owners to U.S. Coast Guard captains or mates to Yachtmaster trainees can benefit from extensive "behind the helm" time. For further information on training, please contact our office.