Deck General · Shiphandling — Current Set Approaching a Pier
When making a landing with a current running parallel to the berth, the safer general practice is to:
- AApproach with the current behind you (downstream) at speed
- BApproach heading into the current (stem the current) to maintain control and reduce speed over ground✓ Correct
- CDrift in sideways
- DApproach at full ahead
Explanation
Stemming the current gives steerageway with low speed over the ground, so the handler can control the approach and stop in a short distance. Approaching downstream the current adds to the ground speed and reduces control—much harder to stop or correct.
Authority: Knight's Modern Seamanship
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