Berthing Mediterranean style

Berthing is one of the aspect that require some additional training. In most countries surrounding the Mediterranean is is normal to berth stern/bow to. In Holland we usually berth alongside. So I am not to familiar with berthing stern to. Ideally you drive the boat backwards, perpendicular to the quay. This is immediately my first challenge. Because Madame Curie has a long keel, driving the boat backwards is very challenging. As soon as I put the engine in reverse, the stern goes to port (left). A little gas forward, to turn the boat so it is perpendicular again.  As soon as you reach the quay I have to try en get lines ashore, preferably two. To prevent the boat from smashing into the quay mooring lines have been put in the harbour. These mooring lines are lines that are attached to giant concrete blocks that are laying on the bottom of the harbour. This mooring line you need to catch. The mooring lines are attached to the quay, and the rest lies on the bottom of the harbour. With a boat hook I can pick it up, and than tie the mooring line to the bow. This is challenge number two. The mooring line has probably been on the seabottom, so it is filthy and full of barnacles and seewead. Yuck!

Besides being yucky I had to learn the hard way that barnacles are very sharp. Tomorrow I'll wear gloves (steep learning curve). Yesterday I was not completely at ease with my berthing situation. To be able to go ashore easily you want to be as close as possible to the quay. But on the other hand, I don't want to be smashing into the quay when there are waves or wind. As an extra challenge the quay had a ridge that just surfaced at low water. And you guessed it, exactly on the same height as my windvane. Hmmmmmmmmm

Submerged ridge

Am I the only one experiencing some difficulties with this Mediterranean berthing? No, of course not. One thing that goes bad rather frequently is that the conviently placed mooring lines get into the propellor. Two things kan happen; either your engine blocks, or your propellor cuts through the mooring line. The later happens quite often. How do you solve this situation.................. Just tie the whole thing together again!