When making a landing, the prudent rule of thumb is to approach the berth:

Question

Accepted Answer

Slowly—never approach faster than you are willing to hit. The classic maxim is to never approach a dock faster than you're willing to strike it. Excess speed leaves no margin if the engine or controls fail; the handler uses wind/current to advantage and keeps the approach controlled. (Authority: Knight's Modern Seamanship.)

When making a landing, the prudent rule of thumb is to approach the berth:

Explanation

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