T&T: Grabbing a Mooring from a Trawler

[Jim Ague]

We've found three styles of moorings, at least that I can remember (from 
easiest to most difficult):

1) Floating pendant with a whip style antenna (eg Roundout Creek, Kingston, 
NY): grab the antenna by hand, pull it up and there'll be a line with a loop 
to put over your cleat;

2) Metal ring at the end of a chain passing through the center of the float 
(eg Annapolis city moorings): get the boat hook on the ring pull up while 
the float reminds in the water, pass a line through it;

3) Metal ring that won't pull through the float (Navy balls in Clements 
Creek of Severn River, Annapolis): I stand on the swim platform with a boat 
hook in hand, wish I knew a better way.

As mentioned before, the helmsman needs to bring the vessel to a (near) stop 
to give the mooring snatcher maximum time.

For the latter two types of moorings, a line should be already cleated with 
the grabber ready to thread the bitter end through the metal ring. Some like 
to bridle and use the two forward cleats, I prefer ataching both ends of the 
line to the same cleat.

Practice in Clements Creek and stay the night. There is rarely anyone there 
to critique you.

-- Jim
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Jim & Rita Ague
M/V Derreen, Monk 36
lying NMB, SC
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