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DLM CUSTOMERS:
DOCKING AND TYING UP

Good morning. I hope everyone is prepping for Isaias, and hunkering down during the storm. All the boats are safe on land and canvases are installed, plugs removed, etc.

DON'T BLOCK THE DOCK!

On Sunday morning, I went down to the dock before anyone arrived, and took a few photos before retying several boats. A lot of the boats tied bow-in at the fingers were completely blocking the main dock with their bow pulpits. The boat closest to me was tied bow in NOT on a finger...it should have been tied stern-in, and would not have blocked the dock at all. These bow pulpits and anchors create a dangerous condition for other boaters. The problem is easily overcome by the proper use of spring lines, which we are happy to show you how to use. After getting unloaded and off your boat, RE-TIE the boat with a good spring line so that it doesn't "block the dock."
You can see how many pulpits are sticking out over the main dock. Customers cannot navigate past them safely.
Just to reinforce my point, Monday morning I received the following email from a concerned DLM customer. He makes many valid points, not the least of which is that other customers shouldn't have to retie your boat for you. It is your responsibility to properly tie up so that the boat and the docks are safe.
Subject:   Please Stop the boats with BOW PULPITS and ANCHORS from BLOCKING the Docks !!

Hi Gary,

You and I had discussed this issue on the phone about a week ago, and it is still going on.    See the ATTACHED photos, I just took those pictures on Saturday. 

These boats are docking Bow in, and they are docking with the ENTIRE bow pulpit and anchor over the ENTIRE width of the docks !!!   

The new docks you installed are only 4 feet wide, and these boats are docking in a way that is not only Inconsiderate, but also very  DANGEROUS !  Walking down the narrrow docks and carrying bags, coolers, cell phones, food, etc., is challenging enough, but to add an obstacle course caused by bow pulpits and anchors makes it Very  dangerous !   

It is very inconsiderate, and highly annoying,  for these boaters to literally block the  entire width of the docs with their bow pulpits, and I have had to loosen THEIR own spring lines and bow lines to move their boats backwards on multiple occassions, and we shouldn't have to do that.

I would sincerely appreciate it if you could implement and  Enforce a rule whereby boats that dock bow in with Bow Pulpits and anchors are told to make sure that they do not BLOCK  Any Part of the width of the dock.   It is just common courtesy and common sense, not to mention that it creates a serious safety hazard and can result in someone falling off the docks while carrying bags, coolers, small children, causing possible severe injury, drowning, etc.

Thank you very much for your consideration in addressing this matter as soon as possible.   Thank you.
THAT'S NOT A KNOT!

I also retied almost all the boats using proper cleat hitches. Some of you need a little help with knot tying...I can tell you didn't earn that merit badge...LOL. Wrapping the line around and around and around and around and around the cleat isn't a knot. 

I'm happy to show you and your "crew" how to tie a cleat hitch, how to run a proper spring line, or how to tie up your boat stern-in even if you have an outboard engine. Just stop in next time you're using the boat and I'll come down to the dock with you. I have linked to a great video showing the proper way to tie a cleat hitch. It explains WHY a knot should be tied the right way, and how to avoid a knot that is difficult to untie.
This is a perfect cleat hitch. Note how there is only one loop around each horn, the two hitches lay parallel, or next to, each other, and the locking hitch lies over the top to keep the knot secure. There is no need to wrap the lines around the cleat after tying the knot. 
Thanks for your cooperation. If we all work together to keep the docks safe and the boats tied up properly, the boating experience will be better for all of us.

Stay safe during the storm. We'll see you when the weather clears!
 
The Crew at
THE BOAT PLACE
and
HARBORSIDE MARINE
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