How did you get on with it? Did you manage more than 8 points?
Here are my thoughts.
Navigating in a crowded harbour with limited manoeuvring space requires careful planning and skilful execution to ensure the safety of your vessel and avoid collisions. Here are the strategies and techniques I think you should employ:
- Maintain situational awareness: Continuously monitor your surroundings and maintain a clear understanding of the positions and movements of other vessels in the harbour. Use all available means, including visual observation, radar, and AIS (Automatic Identification System) if you have them, most of all - head on a swivel and stay aware of potential collision risks.
- Slow down: Reduce your vessel's speed to a safe and manageable level, considering the congestion in the harbour. Slowing down allows you more time to react to changing situations and gives you better control over your vessel's movements.
- Follow the rules of the road: Adhere to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and the local harbour regulations. Maintain proper navigation lights, signal intentions clearly, and give way to vessels with right-of-way as defined by the rules.
- Communicate with other vessels: Use VHF radio to communicate with other vessels in the harbour. Establish contact with nearby vessels to exchange information about intentions, manoeuvres, and potential hazards. Be clear and concise in your radio communications.
- Assign dedicated lookouts: Assign crew members as dedicated lookouts to scan the area for potential collision risks. These lookouts should continuously monitor the surroundings and provide timely information to the helms-person.
- Plan your route in advance: Study the harbour charts and plan your route in advance to avoid congested areas or navigate through them during quieter periods. Identify any narrow passages, shallow areas, or navigational hazards that may require extra caution.
- Use fenders and fender boards: Deploy fenders on the sides of your vessel to protect against collisions with other vessels or harbour structures. Use fender boards when necessary to provide additional protection, consider having a crew member with a roving fender.
- Be patient and courteous: Practice patience and maintain a courteous attitude while manoeuvring in a crowded harbour. Avoid impulsive actions, give way when necessary, and be considerate of other vessels' needs and limitations.
- Use spring lines and pivot points: When docking or manoeuvring in tight spaces, use spring lines to assist with controlling the vessel's movement and pivot around fixed points. This technique allows for precise manoeuvring and minimises the risk of collisions.
- Stay calm and composed: Navigating in a crowded harbour can be stressful, but it's crucial to remain calm and composed. Keep the crew focused and attentive, and avoid making rushed or hasty decisions that could lead to accidents.
Safety should always be your top priority when navigating in a crowded harbour. By employing these strategies and techniques, maintaining situational awareness, and using good judgment, you can safely navigate through the harbour and avoid collisions.
If you managed to come up with all of these thoughts well done if you had more - let me know about them.
Have a great week.