Stern on Mooring

Stern to mooring is essentially reversing into a ‘berth’ or space, on the side of the river,many public houses use stern on mooring.

Reversing a boat is not as simple as reversing your car in a supermarket car park or public space, when you have tidal and weather conditions to deal with

although, as many who have tried with with no experience often find this somewhat more complicated so we are happy to help and give you some helpful tips

Side on Mooring

Bow Thrusters

Bow or stern thrusters is a transversal propulsion device built into, or mounted to, either the bow or stern, of a boat to make the boat  more manoeuvrable and help against river tides.

Bow thrusters make mooring easier, since they allow the driver of the boat  to turn the boat to port or starboard side, without using the main propulsion mechanism.

Propeller.

A typical three-blade propeller running at 3,200 rpm can inflict 160 impacts in one second. 

Recreational propellers can travel from head to toe on an average person in less than one tenth of a second.

• Be aware of what is going on around you,Pick a person who can be completely responsible of the boat is in command and must take responsibility for the safety of people in and around the boat.
• Assign a passenger to keep watch around the propeller area of your boat when people are in the water.

Life Jackets

If you do find yourself falling into the water your first instinct is to stand up  because we all know that the rivers and broads are can be shallow, do not think this.

First rule of thumb is not to put your feet down. 

The rivers and broads are full of weeds and lilies which can tangle your feet and the silt on the bottom sucks your feet in preventing you from either reaching the surface in deep areas or getting to the bank in shallow areas. 

The most important thing to do is to stay calm follow cold water shock advice

float with your arms and legs spreadeagled, your clothing will trap air and help you stay on the surface and once you are over the initial shock, then skull your hands and get to the boat you fell off or to a ladder or to the bank.

When in the tidal areas of the  Norfolk Broads, try to remember it is essentail to wear a life jacket , if you do blunder in then it helps to keep you afloat easily, it is something that another person can grab to help you out and it will keep you warmer in the water, plus it has a whistle to get the attention of others to your situation.

Safety of Pets

Shallow, slow moving rivers can be a safe place for your dog to take a dip.

Check for any dangers in the water, like fallen tree branches.

Make sure your dog’s recall is up to scratch – you don’t want them clambering out on the other bank where you can’t follow them!

Most importantly use life jackets for your dogs , its as easy for a dog to slip off a boat or even try to swim , your dog has no knowledge of tide or other boats .

Do not use the rear mooring ropes to tie up your dog as I have seen , if your dog falls into the water or jumps its highly at risk of drowning.

Simply use a dog lead and keep control of your dog, do not risk your own life or your animals safety.

If you think your dog will feel unsettled on a boat simply do not risk it for your own safety or your dog.