Docking in High Winds with Gusts

That looked pretty ordinary to me. They could of used a mid cleat spring line of that port side piling on the first go and used the tension to pull it straight back into the slip.

The amount of embarrassment to be incurred during the docking procedure is directly proportionate to the number of people watching.

106 dockings a day 5 years never used pols, river running wind. Only hit once lightly when the electric controls failed. 23 m by 8.8m. and all off as did the same on all 6 vessels or no jobe the next day

looks like he needs some lessons himself

Well done. Not easy, I've been there.

First explain to the crew what you want them to do: which lines to get first, second, pull up and gauge the wind and tide. I would have come in, both engines ahead, taken them out of gear a boat length and a half out from my pivot area directly in front of the pen (slip). As she glides forward, wind the wheel hard over to port and go astern with the port engine, feathering the power until she has stopped going forward, whilst putting the starb. engine ahead to help her get around. Go all stop both engines about 30 degrees before she's lined up, wait for momentum to bring it around, them both astern for a moment to pull it in. If she's too far over, then go ahead on the port engine and astern on the starb. to push her over (remember your wheel is hard over, this will walk her sideways) them either or both astern to pull her in. You may need to push it sideways again, but with the wind the way it is, it'll stop you bumping the dock. There is no reason in this instance to bump the pole. When in doubt, stop and think it out.

Excellent job by the captain AND THE CREW keeping it focused and patient. Hard to dock a boat like that with all the windage, I would have lowered the bimini, heck I'm so scared of docking in my current slip that I always lower mine.

Wish I could dock like that.

Nothing wrong with going around and starting a new approach. Having twin engines makes it easier. Our boat is a 50 ft trawler with single screw with a bow thruster so we would use a completely different technique to maneuver into a slip. A strong cross wind is always a challenge, no matter the boat. We have very robust rubbing strakes on our boat and I have no qualms about letting them do their job when necessary against pilings.

Great job of docking. I have used this technique since the first time I watched this video. It works.

what high winds?

High winds? The flags are barely moving. Thumbs down.....

I have an aft cabin boat and I find it hard not to panic in wind with lots of boaters watching you.

Painful...but at least he didn't cause any property damage.  There was a point where I thought the wind had him, and it was going to get ugly...

Nice video, good commentary. Pilings aren't always there to help though.. Where we are they are usually metal, NOT good to bounce off :D

Nice work cap.

He needs to learn to crab a boat to counter the crosswind by using RUDDER and differential power, rather than only differential power to steer.

Excellent job for such a tight area! People don't seem to understand how difficult it is and how much skill it requires to handle a boat in those conditions.

good job, if that was a ship he would have two tugs to help him, and he did it all by him self. Yes I know he had twins but if the wind blow your head off, well its not much you can do in such a small area.

Always fun to read comments when people are criticizing others abilities. I've used Poles, docks, birds and whatever else was available on windy days to get the boat in safely and without damage to others.

I see no reason to bounce off  poles.